NNSL Yellowknifer Newspaper
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by Jill Westerman, September 30, 2025
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Indigenous Story Spotlight for 2024 National Indigenous History Month,
by Brian Cliffen, June 6, 2024
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NNSL Yellowknifer Newspaper
Yellowknife author Bonita Nowell and her mother host book reading of
My Mother's Legacy, by Jill Westerman, February 14, 2024
My Mother's Legacy, by Jill Westerman, February 14, 2024
Métis author Bonita Nowell and her mother Angie Mercredi-Crerar held a book reading of Nowell’s book, My Mother’s Legacy, at the Yellowknife Public Library Saturday. The book documented highlights from Mercredi-Crerar’s childhood and also the trauma she experienced at St. Joseph’s residential school in Fort Resolution. Jill Westerman/NNSL photo
It was a book reading that evoked many emotions at the Yellowknife Public Library Saturday, as Métis author Bonita Nowell and her mother Angie Mercredi-Crerar shared heartfelt moments with their audience about Nowell’s book, My Mother’s Legacy.
The story, published last autumn, shares the early childhood experiences of Mercredi-Crerar, such as when she was taken away to residential school — a painful time in her life that she only shared with her daughter when Nowell decided to document her mother’s history in the pages of her book.
“I didn’t tell my kids about it because it was too horrible,” said Mercredi-Crerar, who attended St. Joseph residential school in Fort Resolution. “All I learned from that is that my kids would never, ever feel the way I did.”
She said after her children were born, loving them was the most important thing for her to do to counter the effects that residential school had on her life.
“When I was left in that residential school, they wrecked me. I had nothing. Nowhere to go and there was no hope. There was nothing for me. We were all alone and nobody cared.
“And as I was growing up, I was thinking, ‘Maybe someday, if I have kids, I will love them and fight for them forever,’” she recalled.
Poignant journey
While writing the book, Nowell told the audience that she “felt every emotion you could imagine” and that its pages are filled with instances of hope, healing and reconciliation.
She said she feels very fortunate that she was able to document her mother’s life while she was still alive.
“I am grateful my mother is still here to share the story,” Nowell said.
To complement the written book, and to honour her mother’s story further, Nowell said they just completed an audio-book version of the book — complete with her mother’s voice and that of several other narrators, including herself.
“I wanted my mom, my mom’s voice to be heard. And so I can pass that along to my siblings and their families. It’s a gift to my siblings and their families,” Nowell said.
The audio recording should be ready for sale on platforms such as Amazon, Audible and Google Play by the end of February, she noted.
Nowell said it’s a good feeling knowing her mother’s story is documented for others to read and hear — now and for future generations.
“It’s the greatest service to others — be it my family having my mother’s voice forever; be it the story that may inspire others to reflect on their own family and appreciate their own family,” she said.
“It’s been a privilege to share the story. These are hurts, but my mother is at peace today. She has peace of mind, she has peace in her heart. How did she get there? I’m sharing some of how she got there.”
The story, published last autumn, shares the early childhood experiences of Mercredi-Crerar, such as when she was taken away to residential school — a painful time in her life that she only shared with her daughter when Nowell decided to document her mother’s history in the pages of her book.
“I didn’t tell my kids about it because it was too horrible,” said Mercredi-Crerar, who attended St. Joseph residential school in Fort Resolution. “All I learned from that is that my kids would never, ever feel the way I did.”
She said after her children were born, loving them was the most important thing for her to do to counter the effects that residential school had on her life.
“When I was left in that residential school, they wrecked me. I had nothing. Nowhere to go and there was no hope. There was nothing for me. We were all alone and nobody cared.
“And as I was growing up, I was thinking, ‘Maybe someday, if I have kids, I will love them and fight for them forever,’” she recalled.
Poignant journey
While writing the book, Nowell told the audience that she “felt every emotion you could imagine” and that its pages are filled with instances of hope, healing and reconciliation.
She said she feels very fortunate that she was able to document her mother’s life while she was still alive.
“I am grateful my mother is still here to share the story,” Nowell said.
To complement the written book, and to honour her mother’s story further, Nowell said they just completed an audio-book version of the book — complete with her mother’s voice and that of several other narrators, including herself.
“I wanted my mom, my mom’s voice to be heard. And so I can pass that along to my siblings and their families. It’s a gift to my siblings and their families,” Nowell said.
The audio recording should be ready for sale on platforms such as Amazon, Audible and Google Play by the end of February, she noted.
Nowell said it’s a good feeling knowing her mother’s story is documented for others to read and hear — now and for future generations.
“It’s the greatest service to others — be it my family having my mother’s voice forever; be it the story that may inspire others to reflect on their own family and appreciate their own family,” she said.
“It’s been a privilege to share the story. These are hurts, but my mother is at peace today. She has peace of mind, she has peace in her heart. How did she get there? I’m sharing some of how she got there.”
Connected North Future Pathways Interview
Bonita Nowell Fireside Chat with Magdalena Kelly of
Connected North’s Future Pathways, January, 16, 2024
Connected North’s Future Pathways, January, 16, 2024
CBC The Trailbreaker with Hilary Bird
"My Mother's Legacy" is the name of the new novel by Yellowknife writer Bonita Nowell.
Interview with Marc Winkler, published on Oct 20, 2023.
Republished courtesy of CBC Yellowknife.
Interview with Marc Winkler, published on Oct 20, 2023.
Republished courtesy of CBC Yellowknife.
Coffee Break News
Book release announcement Oct 2, 2023.
Northwest Territory Métis Nation Announcement
Book Release announcement on Sept 29, 2023.
North Slave Métis Alliance Announcement
Book Release announcement on Sept 29, 2023
NNSL Yellowknifer Newspaper
Honouring the truth for reconciliation – Author Bonita Nowell of Yellowknife shares mother’s residential school story. By Jill Westerman on Sept 29, 2023.
Republished courtesy of NNSL Media.
CKLB Radio
Interview with Author Bonita Nowell and her mother, Angie Mercredi-Crerar on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, by Mariah Caruso on Sept 30, 2023.
Cabin Radio
Yellowknife author honours mother’s legacy in new book by Emily Blake on Sept 30, 2023.
Republished courtesy of Cabin Radio.
Shaye Ganam Talk Show
630CHED andQR770, Simulcast Radio Interview. Daughter honours residential school survivor, mother Angie Mercredi-Crerar. Oct 2, 2023.
Republished courtesy Shaye Ganam Show.
Town & Country News/GP Regional News
New book profiles
Grande Prairie Elder, Angie Crerar.
Reprinted courtesy Town & Country News/GP Regional News, October 2023.
Grande Prairie Elder, Angie Crerar.
Reprinted courtesy Town & Country News/GP Regional News, October 2023.
