When Ren Louie, a member of the Ahousaht First Nations, began the Indigenous Studies program at Camosun College in 2016, he never imagined he would become a children’s author and be published by Victoria’s Medicine Wheel Education.
“I actually only started [writing] two years ago in December,” says Louie, now 23 years old. “It’s something that’s unique and something I enjoy. Plus, [my first book is] a true story, so there were times where I was led by my imagination. That really helped. Especially when I got to get creative and have that sense of expression culturally.”
Louie says that Drum from the Heart—his first book, being released on February 1, 2022—is based on the true story of him being raised by his mother and grandmother, who gift him a drum to help connect with his culture and lift his confidence on his own, singing and playing traditional songs.
“There was a unique challenge to writing it, because a lot of these stories, Indigenous stories, are rooted in trauma, about the residential schools in the ‘60s,” says Louie. “But I find it’s also nice to celebrate the resiliency and the culture, and what it means to grow up in that culture, how that guidance helps a young person find their way in this world.”
Louie, who finished at Camosun in 2019, says that he wants the book to have a clear message that all people can enjoy. And while Drum from the Heart is geared toward readers between the ages of 7 and 10, Louie believes that the message of finding oneself is one that people of all ages can identify with.
“The book should be beneficial to anyone who just needs to look within themselves and find out who they are and who they’re meant to be,” he says. “Even for non-Indigenous people—they can read this book and they can realize they want to know who they are and what their ancestors did, and embody their culture.”
Louie says that he owes a great deal of his inspiration for writing the book to his journey through Camosun.
“I took English 092, and 094, and College Prep,” he says. “During that time was my introduction to Indigenous literature, and so I definitely think I wouldn’t have written this book without finding out about how many stories are out there, and then finding out what Medicine Wheel does, all the phenomenal work they put behind their authors, so they can get their stories out there. Camosun definitely put me on the right track towards Drum from the Heart.”
Louie says when he first saw Karlene Harvey’s illustrations for his book, he was deeply moved.
“Karlene Harvey, you know, I have never had the chance to meet her,” says Louie, “but I know she read the story, and honestly, she brings the memories of these stories alive on the page. I think that’s very special.”
Someone Louie did get to meet, however, was Indigenous author Lee Maracle. The two met in 2019; Maracle died in November, leaving a huge legacy behind, including inspiration on Louie.
“When I met her, she talked about letting our kids be properly represented on the bookshelf, authentically represented. She said, ‘My final words to you are, get writing.’ That was where my true inspiration was born, where I had that goal in mind that I was eventually going to write my own book. I’m saddened by the fact that she’s not going to get to see the release, but, honestly, if I hadn’t heard her say those words, I might not have put pen to paper.”
As to what his own words of inspiration to others would be, Louie wants to keep that inspiration moving along.
“If you have a story to tell that’s unique,” he says, “and you were quiet as a kid, then get writing.”