The Past is Always Our Present By Louise B. Halfe (Sky Dancer) (Grade 7-9)

Louise B. Halfe, also known by her Cree name Sky Dancer, is an acclaimed poet, social worker, and former Canadian Parliamentary Poet Laureate. Her writing is deeply rooted in Cree language, spirituality, and lived experience, often exploring the interwoven legacies of colonization, resilience, and healing. In The Past Is Always Present, Halfe confronts personal and collective memory, revealing how history continues to shape Indigenous identity and community. With unflinching honesty and lyrical power, her work honors survivors, challenges silences, and illuminates pathways of strength. Halfe’s voice stands as both witness and guide, affirming poetry’s role in truth and reconciliation.