TURTLE'S BACK PUBLISHING

Monday, October 26th marks the long awaited and highly anticipated release of Turtle's Back Publishing, a division of the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition's upcoming publication on the game of lacrosse titled Akhwatsirehkó:wa My Big Family - Our Game, Our Experience, Our Way. Our young talented writers Brennor Jacobs (Oneida Nation) and Brendan Bomberry (Mohawk Nation) have brought to all lacrosse fans and readers a book that encapsulates the traditional values of the Haudenosaunee while navigating the ever expanding modern game, exploring just how the medicine game has come to affect those who play the game around the world.

The game of lacrosse is without a doubt an Indigenous game, that has been long intertwined within Indigenous culture and has taken on many forms throughout history. What is apparent is that the game remains highly respected amongst many Indigenous communities, for the lessons it affords us. It is a game gifted from the Sky, one that does not care for the intricacies of a strained mind, only that you lose yourself within its keen embrace.

Akhwatsirehkó:wa My Big Family explores three areas; Spirituality, Intellectual Scholarship, and Emotional Well-being, where players have used the game of lacrosse to navigate particular spheres within their own lives, while also exploring the current climate of lacrosse through personal stories and triumphant celebration of the blazing history the game continues to write for itself.

Featuring stories from some of lacrosse's most influential Indigenous players across Turtle Island. Including: Randy Staats, Lyle Thompson, Darris Kilgour, Allie Jimerson, Oliver Hill, Jacelyn Lazore, Cody Jamieson, Warren Hill and Brandon Montour.

Also featuring many others from the global lacrosse community like: John Tavares, John Grant Sr., Connor Wilson, Joakim Miller, Reilly Smith, Brendan Smith, Rory Smith, Tim Wunderlich, Frank Lawrence, Keith Nyberg and Bobby Allan.

Akhwatsirehkó:wa My Big Family will be available for $75.00 CAD. To purchase your copy please visit our website at http://www.onlc.ca/shop.

The Ontario Native Literacy Coalition (ONLC) is a not-for-profit, charitable organization, one of four provincial umbrella organizations funded by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD). Incorporated since 1988 and operating under the guidance of an elected Board of Directors, the ONLC is a provincial networking and field development organization supporting and serving Native Stream Literacy Service Providers and learners in Ontario.

Turtle's Back Publishing (TBP), a division of ONLC was established in the spring of 2019. TBP aims to publish Indigenous works that strengthen and amplify Indigenous knowledge. It is TBP's mission to provide publications developed and created by Indigenous writers that enrich, advocate and promote North American Indigenous literacies.

Visit our website http://www.onlc.ca to get more information on the Ontario Native Literacy Coalition, and to view all our publications OR follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).

Please join us on October 26th, 2020 at 2pm ET on our YouTube Channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG7XuNVDstgg6A7lko3B_ow) for a special 1- hour release show, where you will have a chance to win your own copy of Akhwatsirehkó:wa and many other prizes signed by players featured in our book!!