Identity, Culture and the Struggle for Recognition In her poem I Lost My Talk , Mi’kmaq poet Rita Joe presents a deeply personal and powerful message about identity, culture and the consequences of colonialism.  Her personal experience of attending a residential school served as the inspiration for the poem, which is a testament to the perseverance required to recover cultural identity after being forced to assimilate.  I find that this little but powerful essay relates to a human need: the need to be recognized, understood and rooted in our heritage.  Joe's poem reflects not just her personal loss but also a shared struggle among many Indigenous communities who have experienced cultural suppression. Using clear and powerful language, she makes sure that the deep emotion of her story reaches everyone. This broad appeal shows that reclaiming one's voice is both an individual journey and a collective effort. The Profound Loss of Voice and Identity At its core, I Lost...