Plume Writers' Circle

From Arts in Guelph - September/October, 2005

by Anna Contini

Despite their diverse backgrounds, members of the Plume Writers' Circle share some common bonds. All reside in the Guelph area, have native roots and possess a desire to communicate through the written and oral word. This grass-roots organization is made up of primarily women from all walks of indigenous life. "Our mission is to raise awareness of Aboriginal issues while building bridges within the community," says founding member Hope Engel.

In 2002, a group of emerging writers came together to launch a Native writers' collective and later that year they participated in the Eden Mills Writers' Festival. The Plume Writers' Circle held its first official meeting in the spring of 2003. They received a great deal of support from community elders and established native authors such as Kim Anderson and Rene Meshake.

Today its fourteen members meet monthly and perform in various private and public settings in Guelph to share their poetry, stories, plays and songs. "We all have had different experiences," says Engel, pointing out that "some of us are of mixed race, others have come from residential schools or are children of those who attended such schools, many are adoptees, some are students and others are parents." "Most of us have been impacted by violence in one way or another," she says, noting the therapeutic effects that writing has had. "Our writing is about both building ourselves and making community connections."

The Guelph area is home to some 1 500 native people. Members of Plume seek to give voice to Aboriginal issues in this community. They have hosted local events for the Native Women's Association of Canada's Sisters in Spirit campaign, honouring 500 missing and murdered women from across Turtle Island. Last year two members of Plume were selected by Ed Video Media Arts to produce a documentary about Plume for the Transference Project. This video has been submitted to the national ImagiNative Film Festival.

Currently the Plume Writers' Circle is seeking support and funding to publish an anthology to reflect various urban perspectives and Aboriginal realities represented through stories, poetry, spoken word, essays and scripts. "We have a huge oral history," says Engel. "We hope to capture this spirit through our writing so that we can reach out and connect with others."

The Plume Writers' Circle has come a long way in a few short years. "Writing has been part of our healing and extremely empowering," says Engel. Connecting with one another has enabled the members to connect with the rest of the community. Their rich creative offerings have provided a greater understanding of the Aboriginal experience. And our community is all the richer for it.