Two Tricksters, Find Friendship
“Set in the peace of a rural coastal community, this thoughtful and inspiring book creates space not just for playful adventure but reflection, curiosity and learning. Young Jessie and Johnny demonstrate the power of true friendship to bridge cultural difference, and their story shows us that wisdom comes from many kinds of teachers—the land, trickster Raven, Elders and, importantly, one another. Well-paced and charmingly illustrated, this book draws you into a beautiful world among trees and berry bushes, at the beach and the Bighouse, and it teaches that approaching each other with openness, support and respect allows for the discovery of many gifts.”
~ Amy Reiswig, reviewer, writer, editor
“From the first paragraph, I was hooked. This is a beautiful story about friendship, family and community. The characters take us on adventures of discovering the connection to land, animals and history. Their friendship helps us understand how we care for each other on this journey of truth and reconciliation. My new favourite book!”
~ Monique Gray Smith, award-winning author of My Heart Fills With Happiness
Medicine
On June 21, 2024, on National Indigenous People’s Day, Lauren Mann will be releasing her new single, “Medicine”. Lauren co-wrote this song over five years with her friend Johnny Aitken. The song focusses on truth, healing, and reconciliation. Johnny is a First Nation 2spirit multi-disciplinary artist. This collaboration was intentional, it was an opportunity for a member of the Settler community to create piece of art with an Indigenous community member with the hope of helping heal from past injustices and to heighten awareness on Indigenous issues throughout Canada. In the process of writing this song, a friendship was formed, strengthened, and trust was cultivated and nourished. Slowing down, taking their time, permitted space for subtle nuances to appear within the lyrics. The song’s Producer is Adam Grey-Iredale of Fiddlehead Studio based in Toronto Ontario and Mayne Island B.C.
Listen to Medicine on YouTube.
What do you want?
“What do you want?” is a song written by Johnny. It was inspired and prompted by a moment that a Settler friend shared with him a few years ago. When her First Nation partner was approached by a male Settler and asked him this question! Of course this was a jarring moment, the two of them were simply enjoying their lunch at a restaurant. The song explores broadly why this man potentially asked this question (there was no explanation offered)? From Johnny’s perspective, the question came about due to fear. Fear of losing one’s land, fear of inevitable changes as we all move forward as more people become aware of how “Canada” came to be. How its creation was riddled with horrific injustices and atrocities. These injustices continue today. “We are still here”. The song also emphasizes that all of us, as Treaty people, need to work together to explore necessary and realistic ways for all of us to create a more balanced society. An incredibly daunting task and will not happen quickly because, as we unlearn and learn the truth, healing will take time for all. Interwoven in the lyrics, is an acknowledgement that there is hope and optimism. As the song Medicine was a “call to action” so is this one!
Johnny is currently seeking funding to support the development of this song, its recording and its official release.