Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lighting the Eighth Fire: The Liberation, Resurgence, and Protection of Indigenous Nations | 2008 | Leanne Betasamosake Simpson | Buy |
Lighting the Eighth Fire: The Liberation, Resurgence, and Protection of Indigenous Nations (2008) was one of Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s earliest major publications. The anthology gathers contributions from Indigenous scholars, elders, and activists who address questions of sovereignty, cultural survival, and political resistance. The title draws on an Anishinaabe prophecy about the Seven Fires, which describes distinct epochs in the history of the Anishinaabe people, with the Eighth Fire representing a moment of decision about the future.
The book was published by Arbeiter Ring Publishing and helped establish Simpson as a significant voice in Indigenous political thought. Contributors discuss topics ranging from treaty interpretation and land rights to the recovery of Indigenous languages and governance systems. The anthology remains widely cited in Indigenous studies and set the stage for Simpson’s later solo works on resurgence and decolonization.