Poppa and His Drum

By Judith M. Doucette and Rebecca Reid

After moving from an all-French Indigenous community to the English community of St. George's, Newfoundland, when he was a little boy, Poppa's life as a young man was very sad. He was treated badly by his schoolteachers and some other children in the town.

Years later, when his grandson wants to bring him into school to play his drum for the class, Poppa is nervous but goes anyway. He is relieved to see he is welcomed and even encouraged to share his knowledge of the traditions and customs of his Mi'kmaw culture.

Thankfully, times have changed from Poppa's generation, and he is pleased to have reconciled with the bad experiences he had when he went to school. Indeed, there is strength and wisdom in Reconciliation!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Flanker Press
• Release date: May 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9781774571279

Judith M. Doucette

Judith M. Doucette (Judy Falle) was born and raised in St. George’s, a little town on the west coast of Newfoundland and Labrador. She graduated high school in 1980 and from a medical office administration program in 1995. In 2004, she began her employment with the Federation of Newfoundland Indians, and she is employed with the Qalipu First Nation Band as client intake officer with the Department of Education and Training in St. George’s. Judith is married and has two adult children, Tiffany and Travis, and a beautiful, vibrant granddaughter, Aria. Her first book, Amanda’s Baking Lesson, was published by Jesperson Press in 1986. In 1996, she wrote and self-published Evan ’Elps Senny Claws, a Newfoundland-dialect Christmas book. Judith M. Doucette is a proud member of the Qalipu First Nation Band and also sits on the St. George’s Indian Band Council.

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