Blue Bear Woman is the first novel written by an Indigenous woman that
was published in Quebec in the French language. The story of a young
Cree woman's search for her roots and identity, Virginia Pesemapeo
Bordeleau's debut novel, Ourse bleue, was originally published in
2007, and is her second novel to be translated into English. The novel
explores contemporary Indigenous life and the impact on the Cree of the
building of the Eastmain dam in northern Quebec, posited as virgin
territory, yet which has actually been part of the Cree traditional
territory since time immemorial. In search of her roots, Victoria takes
a trip to the country of her Cree ancestors with her companion, Daniel.
It is a long journey to the north along the shores of James Bay.
Colours, smells, and majestic landscapes arouse memories that soon
devolve into strange and hauntings dreams at night. In bits and pieces,
uncles, aunties, and cousins arrive to tell the story of Victoria's
family and bring with them images of her childhood that are tinged both
with joy and sadness. Guided by her totem, the Blue Bear, she returns
home to make peace with her soul, as well as release the soul of her
Great-Uncle George, a hunter who has been missing in the forest for over
twenty years.
