The Horse Tree

Thackery Coleman drowned and then was hacked to pieces by a propeller. Or, was it the other way around? Nel Neumeister and Ray Simons would spend the rest of their lives wondering if they accidentally killed their childhood friend's father while joyriding in a stolen boat, a secret that was kept from her for over five decades. Nel, a "tomboy" and Ray, an indigenous youth, spent summers together on the Indian Reserve of Turtle Island during the 50s and 60s. Nel's family leased their cottage property from the Indian Band to which Ray's family belonged. As youngsters, Nel and Ray were inseparable until a torrent of forces created fissures in their relationship. Then, there was the tragedy. That was the final blow. It took the death of one of them for the truth to finally emerge. Themes of gender ambiguity and racial injustice percolate throughout the story.

Joseph (Joe) Morin is a retired educator, having taught at every level in community school settings; elementary, middle, and secondary. Although most of his career was spent in Special Education, 5 of his 29 years of his K-12 experience was in the general education stream (Grades, 4, 5, 7, & 8). In addition to community school settings, he also taught at an outdoor school, a residential treatment center, and a provincial demonstration school. Upon retiring from K-12, he accepted a position at the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire in the Department of Special Education where he taught pre-service teachers for 14 years.

In 1970 he received his initial certification from Toronto Teacher's College (closed in 1978). He proceeded with his degree requirements concurrently after accepting his first teaching assignment in Mississauga, Ontario in 1970. He eventually graduated from York University in Toronto as an undergraduate (B.A. Sociology, 1974), and the University of Toronto for his graduate degrees (M. Ed., 1976 and Ed.D., 1998). In addition to his academic qualifications, he holds certifications in elementary, middle, and secondary as well as a Specialist Certificate in Special Education.

He currently resides in Calgary Alberta Canada with his wife of 54 years. He has one daughter, and two grandchildren.

He can be reached for comment at morinje@icloud.com.