The purpose of this modest publication is to share First Nations poetries about the Planet with others, to encourage community and communication between various peoples, and to celebrate, enjoy, write, read, and make poems and art.



The Call for Poems: In January, 2007, our team sent emails to various schools, community centers, tribal organizations, and individuals, calling for submissions of poetry from First Nations people to describe their/our relationship to Mother Earth (please see Appendix A at the end of this publication).



We received a number of poetries from various locations, a selection of which are included here in this in-house publication, Tea and Bannock Stories: First Nations Community of Poetic Voices. We hope you enjoy these poems and artworks and they encourage you to create poetic books in your communities, with your friends, families, and associates.



This book was made possible with the generous support of the poets and artists whose work is included here. This book is a labor in continuation of the age-old practices of sharing, generosity, and re-distribution of wealth and knowledge traditional to our First Nations communities.



The 2007 publication is available free as printing and paper costs were supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada (SSHRC), Research and Creation in the Fine Arts. We are most grateful to all who worked and contributed.



Despite my best intentions at working hard and well, I apologize in advance for any mistakes, omissions, or other errors as they may occur herein. They are unintentional.

With sincerity and the sacred word, Hope, for continued Love for Mother Earth,





annie ross