On Sunday, October 30 at 6pm, join Massy Arts Society, Massy Books and Secwépemc author Garry Gottfriedson for the launch of Bent Back Tongue. A raw examination of Canadian colonialism and the religious political paradigms through sharp honesty and revealing satire.

Join Gottfriedson for an intimate discussion and a raw examination of love, identity, politics, masculinity, and vulnerability amidst the  darkest layers of a shared colonial history.

Registration is free, open to all and mandatory for entrance.

Purchase Bent Back Tongue at Massy Books

Venue & Accessibility

The event will be hosted at the Massy Arts Gallery, at 23 East Pender Street in Chinatown, Vancouver.

Registration is free, open to all and mandatory for entrance. The gallery is wheelchair accessible and a gender-neutral washroom is on-site.

Covid Protocols: Attendees must wear a mask (N95 masks are encouraged and recommended as they offer the best protection). We ask if you are showing symptoms, that you stay home. Thank you kindly.

The Book

In Bent Back Tongue, Secwépemc rancher and renowned poet Garry Gottfriedson explores the fraught mechanics of contemporary masculinity, politics, and love. Gottfriedson’s work unapologetically unveils the truth of Canada’s treatment of First Nations and he has spoken openly in the New York Times about his experiences at the Kamloops Residential School.

His latest book delves into Canadian colonialism and the religious & political paradigms shaping the experiences of a Secwépemc First Nations man. 

Through revealing satire and sharp honesty, Bent Back Tongue tears through deceptions that both Canada and the church impose on their citizens. Gottfriedson tackles the darkest layers of shared colonial history; simultaneously, the poems in Bent Back Tongue celebrate love, land, family, and the self.

The Author

Garry Gottfriedson is from Kamloops, BC. He is strongly rooted in his Secwépemc (Shuswap) cultural teachings. He holds a Masters of Arts Education Degree from Simon Fraser University. In 1987, the Naropa Institute in Boulder, Colorado, awarded a Creative Writing Scholarship to Gottfriedson for Masters of Fine Arts Creative Writing. There, he studied under Allen Ginsberg, Marianne Faithfull and others. Gottfriedson has ten published books, including Clinging to Bone and Skin Like Mine, and has presented his work across Canada, United States, South America, New Zealand, Europe, and Asia. Gottfriedson’s work unapologetically unveils the truth of Canada’s treatment of First Nations. His work has been anthologized and published nationally and internationally. Currently, he works at Thompson Rivers University.

Donating to Massy Arts Society

Have you noticed our by donation ticket option? Massy Arts Society is primarily funded by Massy Books, an Indigenous woman-owned and operated bookstore on the unceded territories of XwMuthkwium (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. To date we haven’t received any operating funds from any grants and are now providing the option for folks to contribute to keeping our events accessible and doors open. All proceeds from your donation will go towards operation costs of our community hub while we focus on supporting the practices of Indigenous and over-excluded artists. Consider donating when you register for your next event.