Mi'kmaq poet Rita Joe dies at the age of 75

Mi'kmaq poet Rita Joe dies at the age of 75

The woman known as the poet laureate of the Mi'kmaq nation, Rita Joe, is dead at the age of 75.

[. . .] Joe, who just celebrated her birthday last Thursday, was born in Whycocomagh, N.S., in 1932.

She had seven books published and was named to the Order of Canada. [. . .] The Aboriginal Achievement Foundation says Joe tried to counter native stereotypes and her poems and songs reflected not only the pain and plight of her people, but also hope, beauty and understanding.

Some of Rita Joe's books include Song of Eskasoni, Lnu and Indians We're Called, Song of Rita Joe - Autobiography of a Mi'kMaq Poet, and she edited The Mi'kmaq Anthology.