Janice Acoose

Janice Acoose (born 1954) is a Canadian author, newspaper columnist, filmmaker, indigenous language advocate and professor of indigenous literature in Saskatchewan.

Early life and family

Acoose was born in Broadview, Saskatchewan, and attended the Cowessess Indian Residential School in the 1960s. Her cultural roots stem from the Sakimay (Saulteaux) First Nation and the "Ninankawe" Marival Metis.

Her father's mother was Madelaine O'Soup, adopted daughter of O'Soup, Chief of the Anishnabe at O'Soup Reserve. Her father's father was Paul Acoose, from the nearby Sakimay Reserve. [Acoose, Janice. "In Memory of my Coochoom, Madelaine O'Soup Acoose", in "Canadian Woman Studies (magazine), Winter 1992, Vol 12, no 2. p87] Paul was the son of Samuel Acoose, an esteemed Buffalo Runner, and Samuel was decended from Quewich, who travelled with Waywayseecapo. [Acoose, Janice. "In Memory of my Coochoom, Madelaine O'Soup Acoose", in "Canadian Woman Studies (magazine), Winter 1992, Vol 12, no 2. p88]

Works

Acoose was Saskatchewan's first Native Affairs columnist for the "Saskatoon Star-Phoenix". She also regularly contributed to the "Regina Leader-Post", the "Prince Albert Herald", Aboriginal Voices, New Breed and Windspeaker.

In 1995, Toronto's Women's Press published her book "Iskwewak Kah Yaw Ni Wahkomakanak".