DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – Respected author, artist, and elder, Carl Gawboy spoke Saturday afternoon at the Duluth Public Library about the new graphic novel he created in hopes of filling in gaps in history.
Gawboy grew up in Ely, MN surrounded by fur trappers which inspired him to write about the rich history in his book “Fur Trade Nation: an Ojibwe’s Graphic History”
He tells stories of the Ojibwe people in a way that is more historically accurate than most representations of Indigenous People in the media.
The retired professor combines his perspective in his graphic novel with illustrations to paint a picture that was never available to him growing up.
“It has an effect. Over and over again you see the same image and the same message. It has this effect on, ultimately, your perception of yourself and your own history” said Gawboy.
The book began as a collection of 100 drawings. When his friend and now publisher, Rain Newcomb, saw how important Gawboy’s work was, she pushed him to keep creating it. Eventually, the collection turned into 800 drawings throughout the years of editing
Both have great hopes for what the book can do for missing history and the scarcity of knowledge about Ojibwe’s impact on the fur trade.
“To be able to spark that curiosity and people continuing to educate themselves, and rethink our collective history, I think is important,” said Newcomb.
The book is now available on Amazon and can be found in local bookstores in the Duluth area.
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