Valerie Tanner and Dr. Sharon Acoose

First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv) Associate Professor of the Indigenous Social Work Department, Dr. Sharon Acoose, released her book at Regina’s campus.

Her book called An Arrow In My Heart: A First Nation Woman’s Account of Survival from the Streets to the Height of Academia is an autobiography account on her life before she started her academic career.

“It’s been a big release. Now I can let’s this go and move on...I’m free now,” says Acoose about the launch of her book.

In the book, Acoose talks about her life experiences and hardships that she’s endured such as being molested as a child, prostituting herself on the streets to spending time in prison. She’s been working on this book for a long time starting off as journal entries which transpired over the years into a book. Acoose felt it was important to tell her story to get it out there with hopes that it will inspire someone who reads it.

“It was a release of how I came out of it and how I was able to sustain my life with the hope I gained that if I can help another addict that’s what I want to do,” she says. “Anyone can change, if I can where I come from and be what I am right now, anyone can do it.”

Valerie Tanner, from Cowessess First Nation, showed up to the book launch to support her cousin Acoose. Tanner is proud of her cousin’s accomplishments and where she has arrived in this point in her life.

“I’m excited she finally finished the book but yet I find her to be courageous to write about her life,” Tanner says. “Her life story has all kind of struggles...it was hard a life that she grew up.”

Social Work student, Chantell Bennett who had taken a couple classes from Dr. Acoose, bought herself a book and is looking forward to reading it.

“I find that she’s an inspiration coming from a real place and she’s really motivating me. I really wanted to get my hands on this book and I think that it’ll help anybody along their healing journey,” says Bennett.

Publisher of JCharlton Publishing Ltd, John Charlton, describes her book as moving and her writing style is different from what he’s used to publishing.

“Sharon herself really comes through on these pages like you get to meet Sharon,” says Charlton. “It’s an amazing book.”

Acoose and JCharlton Publishing Ltd had a book launch at McNally Robinson’s in Saskatoon prior to the FNUniv launch and have sold out at both events.

Interested readers can find Dr. Acoose’s book at Amazon, Chapters, JCharlton website and at any independent book store in Canada. 

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