She possesses a spark that might ignite at any moment. Wentanoron Ariana Roundpoint, a grade 12 student at CCVS, is the co-author of Sila and the Land. The book shares Indigenous teachings through the story of a young Inuk girl who travels the four directions meeting plants, animals, and elements. Sila learns her responsibility of carrying the knowledge of her ancestors to protect the land for future generations.
Wentanoron’s writing journey began a few years ago when she found a mentor in master’s student Lindsay DuPré at an Indigenous youth gathering in Toronto. The pair kept in touch and later became involved with TakingITGlobal, a Toronto-based organization that empowers youth to understand and act on the world’s greatest challenges. Inspired by Wentanoron’s passion for literacy and cultural revitalization, Lindsay pitched her the opportunity to produce a book along with a fellow student, Shelby Angalik of Nunavut. Wentanoron leapt at the chance to “show the abilities of the new generation” and to demonstrate “their voices can rattle the stars.”
The young women embarked on a challenging long-distance process, working face-to-face only once. To create Sila, the trio asked First Nations, Métis and Inuit peers about their land teachings and living with a changing climate. For Wentanoron, it was important to gather their stories. “They have an awareness of what’s happening in their communities,” says the wise-but-humble 18-year-old. “I wanted to show the truth of what their homes are really like.”
Wentanoron plans to enjoy her big Akwesasne family this summer before heading to Trent University to major in English Literature. She hopes to someday spark students imaginations like the Robin William’s character in Dead Poets Society. We’ll keep the fire extinguisher handy.
