From poet and visual artist Frederick McDonald, an illuminating collection that explores the intricacies of existing within two worlds.

Daydreams turn into night dreams that carry the author on a journey of self-awareness and personal discovery while living and travelling in two worlds: that of his reality as a member of the Fort McKay First Nation and existing as part of Canadian culture within its mainstream paradigm of savage stereotypes and ancient archetypes. Wondering at the intricacies of these worlds and what was, what could have been and what could be as his community navigates a myriad of political policies and propaganda, McDonald weaves experiences of injustice and hardship with the glory and beauty of his culture, all while contemplating the endurance of the natural environment amid human destruction.

Frederick McDonald is an international, award-winning artist—a painter, poet and photographer—and a member of the Fort McKay First Nation. Fred was born in Fort McMurray and raised in the bush along the Athabasca River, where he was brought up in his parents’ traditional hunting and trapping lifestyle. Although he has travelled far and wide, Fred’s heart is still with his community and he continues to be an active member of the Fort McKay band. Fred keeps himself grounded through his family; his children and his grandchildren are his inspiration for everything he does, and they are his greatest creation.

Frederick McDonald's profile page

“Dreams and Journeys is a collection of poetry meant to be shared and read aloud. It is a conversation with Fred McDonald, where a brown boy tells his story and recounts history. It is a particular narrative based on his life experiences; and, simultaneously, a universal tale so that we are involved in its unfolding. The collection becomes alive when recited, as words take three-dimensional form, and we participate with all our senses. Far from being parochial, it speaks of human experience of grief and joy, failings and forgiveness, but ultimately, the collection is about the love of life. He moves easily from Socrates to Johnny Cash making reference to a wide body of influences. In it, the past is contemporary and open to future possibilities. Fred McDonald calls his collection an Esoteric Relationship revealing the hidden and the sacred in our engagement with each other and the land. Where humans are inseparable from their habitat. A significant message, delivered unpretentiously, from an Aboriginal artist in the third millennium.”

Karim-Aly S. Kassam, International Professor of Environmental and Indigenous Studies, Cornell University

“Frederick McDonald is a master of the poetic image. His people spring to vivid life, loud and colourful in our mind’s eye. We join their dreams and journeys. We come visit. We walk traplines and float in an old canoe. We feel the cold as lazy sled dogs hitch a ride behind a snowmobile. We ride a palomino on our birthday. We share some hot pea soup. We laugh out loud and cry alone. We follow the Raven. We are the better for it.”

Therese Greenwood, author of <i>What You Take with You</i>