Assignment 3.3: Cultural Identity

3. "I am a Canadian" by Dr. Duke Redbird

Dr. Duke Redbird (b. 1939 on the Saugeen Reserve on the Bruce Peninsula, near Owen Sound, Ontario) is an Indigenous intellectual, poet, painter, broadcaster, filmmaker and orator. He brings his breadth of cultural knowledge and artistic practice to the benefit of a global audience.   He delivers a unique perspective from his heritage that is both a positive and optimistic alternative to how we view our universe in the 21st century.

His poem “I am a Canadian” uses contemporary poetic forms such as colloquial language and line breaks that follow oral rhythms.  He develops his poem geographically from Canada's east coast to the west coast.  He has said, “The inspiration for my work comes from the deep well of history and tradition that is the heritage of our people on this continent.  From this well I quench the thirst for wisdom and water the seeds of ideas that the creator has sprinkled upon my soul; nourished into words and verse these ideas become poems which I enjoy sharing.  I hope that they bring pleasure and inspiration to those who read them.”

Source:  https://afptoronto.org/blog/the-power-of-the-land-by-dr-duke-redbird/

Read "I am a Canadian".  As you read, think about how you would identify your cultural identity.