Poem (Ekphrastic) for "Kayas' A Long Time Ago"

Abstract

Through members of her family, Fiona has first-hand experience with the fallout of intergenerational trauma affecting those who were sent to Residential Schools. Through the possible and imagined musings of "Kookum" (Grandmother), she explores (and is critical) of this dark mark in Canadian history and the lived-experience(s) of her siblings' and cousins' people. This poem won third place in the Journal of Integrated Studies 2018 Ekphrastic Poetry Competition.