• Age: 14
• Grade: 9

In this new collection of stories, Dene Elder George Blondin defines medicine power, a gift from the Creator for the Dene way of life. Although medicine power has existed since before time began, here Blondin focuses on the past two hundred years, to show how it has shaped the Dene culture.

 

Some are lucky enough to be born with, and the medicine power that some receive after birth or are taught by other medicine power people. This collection of stories and examples of Dene individuals who lived throughout history shows that there is a danger of losing the longstanding tradition of medicine power. Although this power can be used for both creation and destruction, it must be preserved as a vital element of the Dene way of life.

In The Mysteries of Medicine Power Revealed, Blondin is our storyteller—bringing medicine power to life with true stories from Dene history. Blondin explains medicine power clearly, and brings a better understanding of this extraordinary phenomenon into the world. Includes a foreword by Richard Van Camp.

George Blondin is a Dene Elder who was born in 1923 in the Northwest Territories. He has been a wilderness guide, a miner, a trapper, Vice President of the Dene Nation, and in 1989 was elected chairman of the Denendah Elders Council. He now works parttime with the Dene Cultural Institution and writes articles for local newspapers. In 1990, Mr. Blondin was the recipient of the annual Ross Charles award for native journalism. He is the author of When the World Was New and Yamoria the Lawmaker.

George Blondin's profile page

Trail of the Spirit: The Mysteries of Medicine Power Revealed

The late Dene elder, George Blondin, came from a long line of Dene medicine men. In this book, he has written down numerous stories from the Dene oral tradition explaining what is medicine power, how it is acquired and, most importantly, how it has been and is to be used. This is a unique account of Dene culture and mystical and spiritual beliefs, since few medicine men today are willing to share their knowledge even amongst their own people. From the thirteen laws handed down by Yamoria, to lessons on forgiveness from his brother Yamagah, to stories of stewardship of nature, appropriate sexual thoughts and behaviour, and the correct raising of children, this book is full of lessons useful not only to the Dene but to all people.

Blondin wrote numerous columns for News/North and The Old Man with the Otter Medicine.