Warrior Girl Unearthed

The Firekeeper’s Daughter, described by its author as ‘Nancy Drew Meets 21 Jump Street’ exploded onto the YA mystery scene in 2021. Written with a loving attention to detail and sustaining a clever build-up of tension throughout, it joined publisher Rock the Boat’s acquisitions of rich, culturally diverse voices. The traditions of the Anishinaabe and the cadences of the Ojibwemowin language were celebrated within the framework of a twisty thriller exploring the universal problem of drug trafficking.

Warrior Girl Unearthed is Boulley’s thought provoking return to Sugar Island and the problems faced by indigenous peoples there. Shining a spotlight on the exploitation of Native women, cultural theft of funerary objects and the dehumanisation of ancestral remains, Boulley, who is an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians in Michigan, creates a ‘reverse Indiana Jones’ story where a fierce indigenous female protagonist fights for justice. Perry Firekeeper Birch is the niece of Daunis, who fans of the first book will remember. She still bears scars from her terrible ordeal and is determined to protect her family from predatory wiindigoo. Her story is not over.

Impulsive and indefatigable Perry is the opposite of her more academically inclined sister Pauline. When a Summer Internship programme brings them both unforeseen opportunities, it also exposes them to danger. Native teens are disappearing and Perry is traumatised by what she has discovered on a museum assignment mentored by the enigmatic and mercurial Cooper Turtle. Mysteries lie hidden on the island, people are keeping secrets and her cultural heritage is being disrespected.

Boulley’s intertextual inserts between chapters from documents that Perry reads educate the reader. They detail the history of the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, highlighting grievous practices in handling of cultural artefacts and the devaluing of Indigenous remains. Salient quotes emphasise that anthropologists, Museums, Universities and private collectors are all complicit. Perry vows to cut through the red tape and liberate the spirits of her ancestors.

Romantic interests, friendship, humour, teamwork, family and cultural rituals are part of the fabric of this story which Perry’s righteous spirit blazes through. As the stakes are raised, Perry is not sure whom she can trust. She has lessons to learn and obstacles to overcome as the plot reaches a gripping climax. It is a tale of courageous, remarkable women including her friend Shense, who is a dedicated young mother, feisty tribal elders and family members. Where it falters at times is the male representation which lacks substance, verging on eye candy at certain points.

Ultimately Boulley has produced another page turner using elements of crime and mystery to consolidate an important message. Warrior Girl Unearthed will challenge readers to re-evaluate museum exhibits and think about important questions like ‘would you want your grandmothers and grandfathers to be treated in this way?’