Heritage Day 2023 Honours Rita Joe, Mi’kmaw poet and writer.
Elder Rita (Bernard) Joe was born in We’koqma’q Mi’kmaw community and called Eskasoni Mi’kmaw community her home. She wrote many books of poetry and was known as the Poet Laureate of the Mi’kmaq.
Rita Joe’s first collection of poetry was published in 1978, and she went on to publish six more works and earn many honours, including recognition as the poet laureate of the Mi’kmaq.
One of her most well-known pieces is I Lost My Talk, which reflects on her residential school experience and the loss of the Mi’kmaw language.
Learn more about Rita Joe: https://heritageday.novascotia.ca/…/2023-honouree-rita-joe