Memory Serves

Hosted by Chris Piuma and Suzanne Conklin Akbari

Even in the worst catastrophe, there is something unknown and cherished to be discovered. We are certain that all life and death contain something cherished that can be observed; if we listen, if we look for its internal dynamic, watch its behaviour, and commit to its being, we may discover it. Once we discover it, we can establish a relationship with it. Despite the distance maintained between the barracuda and ourselves, we still have a relationship with it. That relationship is one of cherishing the distance between predator and prey; in this way, the barracuda becomes a teacher, and the relationship is one of student and teacher. The space is deep green water.

The Spouter-Inn begins its second year (happy birthday to us!) by reading a book that challenges and provokes us in a number of ways (only a few of which we talk about): Lee Maracle’s Memory Serves. Lee Maracle is a writer, activist, and Elder of the Stó:lo Nation, and this book is a collection of oratories—which is a term and a methodology that struck Chris and Suzanne as fascinating, and one which poses a lot of questions about the approaches they might take (and the limits they encounter) as they make this podcast.

23. Memory Serves.

The Spouter-Inn Memory Serves is a challenging and compelling collection of oratories by author, activist, and Elder of the Stó:lo Nation Lee Maracle. More episodes

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Show Notes.

Lee Maracle: Memory Serves: Oratories. [Bookshop. NeWest Press.]

Some other works by Lee Maracle: Ravensong. Celia’s Song. I Am Woman. My Conversations with Canadians.

Some of her poetry.

An interview with Lee Maracle.

Two additional resources for starting to learn about Indigenous literatures:

Daniel Heath Justice: Why Indigenous Literatures Matter.

Gregory Younging: Elements of Indigenous Style (aimed at publishers but useful beyond that).

Michel de Montaigne: Essays.

We’ve been nominated for a Canadian Podcasting Award in the Outstanding Arts Category! If you are a Canadian podcaster, you’re eligible to vote for us (so please do).

Next episode: C.L.R. James: The Black Jacobins.

Support The Spouter-Inn on Patreon, help us make the show possible, and chat about books with us in a members-only Slack!