The Mi'k-maq poet has died (1931-2007). For those who don't know her, here's a sample of her work that shows its compelling and characteristic comibination of simplicity, pain, and hope:


                   Human Rights


            " You must write me a poem, "
On the honor of twenty-five years of our organization. "
               " What will I write. ? "
       The only dealings we had were negative.
                My poetry is positive.
       His voice dropped to a lower tone
" I just thought we had something in common. "

O yes, we have something in common, but not pretty.
   The movement of my heart works in my poetry.

                   You celebrate
                I am still hurting
                  You celebrate
         Maybe the next twenty-five years
          We will celebrate together.


More here : bio. and poems.