Book details

  • Genre:fiction
  • Sub-genre:Historical / General
  • Language:English
  • Pages:268
  • eBook ISBN:9798317838065

Jasmine and the 8th Fire

A Story of Hope and Reconciliation

By Dr. Jean Lafrance and Kristine Morris

Overview


Jasmine and the 8th Fire is a story of hope and reconciliation, inspired by themes of Indigenous prophecy and the enduring search for healing. Set in 1950s Canada, it follows Jasmine, a young girl whose life is shattered when she is taken from her home and forced into the residential school system. In a world that demands silence and forgetting, she holds onto something deeper. Guided by the presence of her father and Elders in the spirit world, Jasmine becomes a bridge between people and perspectives. Through her, connections begin to form among individuals who are searching for a better way of being, understanding, and living together. At its heart, this is a story of resilience, spiritual awakening, and the possibility of renewal when people choose to come together in a different way.
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Description


Jasmine and the 8th Fire is a story of hope and reconciliation, inspired by themes of Indigenous prophecy and the enduring search for healing. Beginning in 1955, the novel follows Jasmine, a young Indigenous girl whose life is irrevocably changed when she is taken from her home and placed in residential school. What unfolds is a deeply human journey through loss, survival, and the quiet strength required to hold onto identity in the face of systemic harm. Set against the backdrop of the Anishinaabe prophecy of the Seven Fires and the possibility of the Eighth Fire, the story expands beyond one life. Through Jasmine, connections begin to form across difference. She becomes a bridge between people and perspectives, drawing together individuals who are searching for a better way of being, understanding, and living together. A circle takes shape over time, grounded in shared questions, lived histories, and a willingness to imagine another path forward. The novel does not offer simple answers, but invites readers into an exploration of healing, responsibility, and the role each person plays in shaping a more just and connected future. At its core, Jasmine and the 8th Fire is a story about remembering. It speaks to the power of spirit, relationship, and community to guide a different way forward.
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About The Author


As a Professor Emeritus and former provincial Child Welfare Advocate, Dr. Jean Lafrance has spent decades at the intersection of social work and Indigenous community resilience. Following a long career dedicated to reform and education, he now focuses his retirement on the enduring promise of the Eighth Fire. Jean remains a passionate voice for justice and healing, offering this story as a culmination of the lessons learned from the colleagues, students, and Elders who guided his journey toward reconciliation.
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