Morningstar: A Warrior's Spirit

Publisher's description (Coteau Books, 2006): 
A powerful and moving story of one woman''s victory over abuse, poverty, and discrimination to recover her life, her self-esteem and the love of her son. Morningstar Mercredi was born and lived in the north - Fort Chipewayan and Fort McMurray in Alberta, Uranium City in Saskatchewan, and a number of small communities. Sexually abused from an early age, by family members and the boyfriends she turned to for consolation, she was promiscuous, alcoholic and a drug user by the time she was thirteen. She married when she was sixteen and had a son two years later. Everything was a struggle. Days and weeks of sobriety were followed by weeks and months of drinking and self-abuse. Then, when her son was four, things began to change. Morningstar found support, from the community, from her son, and from within herself, to be a good mother, find employment, keep relationships and reconnect with her family. Today, she is a strong and creative member of her community, and eager to tell her story of defeat and ultimate triumph. Sadly, the first part of this story is all too common, while the second is all too rare. But Morningstar is a shining example that it can be done. She is honest and self-critical in her descriptions of many attempts and repeated failures. She gives enormous credit to her son, for his constant love, his determination to be honest with her, and his unfailing confidence in her ability to succeed. Morningstar Mercredi is an Indigenous storyteller, author, and activist.

Author biography (www.morningstarmercredi.com): 
Morningstar Mercredi is of the Wolf Clan, a member of ACFN K’ai Taile Dene in Treaty 8 Territory. She is an accomplished author, poet, artist, researcher, social activist, producer, actress, and filmmaker with a background in multimedia communications.

Her work suffuses and moves across multiple genres of writing and mediums of storytelling. In addition to publishing several articles, she is the author of four books: ‘Second Edition; Sacred Bundles Unborn’, ‘First edition; Sacred Bundles Unborn,’ ‘Morningstar: A Warrior’s Spirit’, and ‘Fort Chipewyan Homecoming’ which explore the multifarious impacts that colonialism and persistent anti-Indigenous racism play in shaping definitions of personhood and how this, in turn, informs how one relates to and experiences a sense of self in the world, as well as home and community as an Indigenous person in Canada. Recently, Morningstar’s voice work was featured in The Unforgotten, a five-part film exploring the health and wellness experiences of diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples across five stages of life. The film uncovers systemic anti-Indigenous racism in the health care system, colonialism’s impacts, and the ongoing, and often intergenerational, trauma experienced by First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples. The film premiered in Canada in the summer of 2021 and remains a critical vehicle for raising awareness and catalyzing conversations about the anti-Indigenous racism in the healthcare system and the persistent cultural and social ideologies underpinning medical colonialism.

Her 40 years of activism and ‘grassroots’ work are expansive; Morningstar’s activism focused on raising awareness of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and girls, and members of the LGBTQ2S communities. Her frontline work, research and advocacy for sexually exploited women and youth spans over 20 years. Today, she is a vocal advocate for the criminalization of coerced and forced sterilization of First Nations, Inuit, Metis and women of color in Canada. Morningstar describes her ‘advocacy’ work as an ongoing process, which she is passionate about as a 'human being in the arts.' 

"Being an artist lends itself to freely challenge and expose social dogma and BS without censoring oneself, which I take seriously, with a twist at times. "

Her gift as an oratory storyteller naturally evolved into various genres of writing and film, which she continuously challenges herself to explore.

She regards herself as, 'perfectly imperfect; with no ambition to be anyone other than herself.'
Passionate about her creative process and advocacy, she remains grounded in her ‘self.’ Morningstar regards her most treasured contribution in ‘her-story’ is her role as Setsune (Granny) as well as ‘Aunty’ and matriarch. Her activism as a storyteller is grounded in her awareness of her roles/responsibilities which she embraces with utmost respect for her grandchildren and community, she reverently acknowledges ‘our’ ancestors who have gone before ‘us,’ those among ‘us’ and those unborn.

Resource format: Memoir

Age recommendation: Grade 12 - University

Keywords: abuse, poverty, substance abuse, women, growth, resiliance, health, healing, self-esteem, love, growth, memoir, junior high, highschool, family, mother,  Indigenous storyteller, Recovery, Triumph over adversity, Overcoming poverty, Women's empowerment, Personal growth, Self-esteem recovery, Fort Chipewayan, Fort McMurray, Uranium City, Family support, Alcoholism recovery, Drug addiction, Promiscuity, Sexual abuse survivor, Domestic abuse, Motherhood, Sobriety journey, Overcoming discrimination, Community support, Breaking the cycle, Self-reflection, change, Indigenous activism, Resilience, hope, Reconnecting with family, Mental health recovery, Life transformation, Strength, courage

Year of publication: 2006

Publisher information: Coteau Books