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Lorne Dufour reading at lakecity library

The Williams Lake Branch of the Cariboo Regional District Library is offering an author reading and interview with local author Lorne Dufour on March 11.

Dufour will be reading from his latest book Jacob's Prayer, as well as participating in a question-and-answer period with the audience.

Jacob's Prayer chronicles Dufour's own experience living on the Alkali Lake Reserve during the 1970s, when the Alkali Lake community was transformed by the efforts of Chief Andy Chelsea and his wife, Phyllis.

Like many First Nations communities across Canada, Alkali Lake had been severely impacted by decades of residential schools and forced religion. The legacy of colonialism had deprived them of their language and culture and created a devastating relationship with alcoholism, Dufour explains.

In 1972, Chief Chelsea and Phyllis began the process leading their community on a long and painful road to sobriety. Jacob's Prayer takes place during this time of transformation, and speaks to the unexpected resiliency of a community and its people.

The evening starts at 7 p.m. this Friday (March 11) at the Williams Lake branch library.