It is winter and the people are starving. There are no fish. They must seek the help of a medicine man to save them. The Man with the Otter Medicine tells of medicine power, the struggle for survival and an important part of the history and culture of the Dene people as it has been passed down through stories and legends for generations.

John Blondin (March 6, 1960â??April 27, 1996) was a talented dancer, graphic artist and founder of a Native theatre group. Working through a museum education outreach program at the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, John celebrated the Dene culture by performing stories that he had learned from his father George Blondin (1940â??2008). The Legend of Caribou Boywas one of Johnâ??s favourite stories.

John Blondin's profile page

The Old Man with the Otter Medicine is a key publication in keeping the Dogrib language alive in today's modern world. Acting as an advocate for the language and the culture, this book is retelling of traditional folklore about survival and the resilience of the Dene people and community.

The Dene culture and the Dogrib language are so under exposed in today's literature, media and entertainment industries. This narrative is important to the language and culture's continued survival and offers a wonderfully entertaining tale that will engage readers from young to old.

The supplemental compact disk offers an audio exploration while the Orthography and pronunciation guide gives readers a way to further their knowledge about this unexposed culture.

George Blondin's retelling of the story is brilliant and deserves the appreciation of cultural experts, educators and Dogrib advocates everywhere.

Diana Rohini La Vigne