Local author Pearl Long Time Squirrel’s first self-published book “Sacred Bird” will officially launch tomorrow in Lethbridge. Long Time Squirrel, who is from the Blood Reserve, will be signing copies of her book at Analog Books.
Long Time Squirrel says “Sacred Bird” is based on a true story. “I first heard the story from my late cousin. She asked me if I could write the story out for her. I wrote it out in a 20-page essay. That’s when she suggested ‘maybe you should write a book’ because she had lost some of the names and details. She said, ‘why don’t you just make it your story and add on to it and make it interesting.’ That’s how I started the book.”
Long Time Squirrel and her cousin couldn’t remember their ancestor’s name, so she gave the ancestor the name Sacred Bird in dedication – which is her cousin’s Blackfoot name.
It’s a story about their ancestor who had the courage to do what they had to do. “Go through hardships, trauma and loss and still make it back.” The ancestor was abducted from the tribe, but was able to make it back home.
According to Long Time Squirrel, she has always been interested in books, but never had the time to write because of work, retiring from the Blood Tribe Department of Health six years ago.
“I was doing other things and it was my daughter who gave me a nudge. She got me a laptop and she said, ‘you better finish that book.’”
Long Time Squirrel hopes people will get inspiration to write their own stories after reading her book. “Because we have a lot of stories and they need to be written down.”
Officially, “Sacred Bird” was released in mid-January and is also available online through Amazon. The book launch and signing runs from 1-3 p.m.