Allegory | The Epiphany Series

A Conversation with Jack Martin Haley

You have had a fascinating life of study and learning. When did you start writing?

It has been a lifelong journey and calling – from notes scribbled in a field book in Fort Yukon all the way to Allegory, the book you will hold in your hand.

Tell me why you are drawn to the shorter, message-heavy allegorical style novel.

The Gwich’in style of storytelling derives from an oral tradition that occurs around cook fires and gatherings of any sort. These stories rely on the memories of the storytellers, whose style is as different as day and night. The oral tradition is universal. The Bible evolved from storytellers. The stories in Allegory were gathered from at least three Athabascan storytellers, Mr. Johnny Ross from Arctic Village whose Seth Thomas alarm clock becomes a focal point; Mr. Pete Simple of Fort Yukon whom I assisted with publishing some of his stories in The Alaskan Sportsman, and Mrs. Sophie Paul, wife of Fred Paul.  As one storyteller said, “You talk too long, the peoples go to sleep.” 

Interestingly, Allegory is somewhat autobiographical – what resonates the most with you?

The book is the essence of “the old man’s” search for fulfilment and Jere, the other principal character’s search as well. We all have epiphanies, good and bad. This resonates with me as an 83-year old man who is much like my character, pondering his life and hoping to find meaning.

This book is from your Epiphany Series. What are the series of Epiphanies that led to the advent of Allegory and the titles to come?

An epiphany is best described by C.S. Lewis’ “Surprised by Joy” as a series of happenings or events leading to a life-changing event. The word “Epiphany” comes from the Biblical tale of the Magi, discovering the Star which changed lives. My book, Allegory, is a parable, in which people, things and events have symbolic meaning. There are a number of epiphanies in this series. For each character it is often a time of learning. The migration of the salmon which plays a big part in Allegory is a symbol of life, birth, growth, struggle, peril, climax and fulfilment. The same themes appears throughout the series. It is my hope that I enhance each story with each telling, like any true origin myth. Now in my 84th year, I think I may have nailed it!  The next book is called the Shaman. That is all I can tell you. You’ll have to read it.

Why is Allegory first in the series? Which is next and why?

The Shaman will come next. It surrounds the origin tales of Shahnyaatii, the mythical shaman of the Gwich’in people who is the first elder to become a Christian. The remaining tale in the series are Redemption, and Dream Talker.

Why is it important for you to highlight Gwitch’in culture, what do you want readers to learn from these stories?

I have always been fascinated by oral cultures, particularly origin myths. They tell us who we are, where we came from. Word of mouth is the foundation of culture. I just thought of this; Wow! Another Epiphany!

As a vaanoodlit (white man) you have reflected on the negative impact of the white man on the People. What do you think readers need to understand about cultural preservation?

We need to understand the critical nature of cultural preservation, be it the Gwichyaa Gwich’in, or the agricultural lifestyles of farmers in the Midwest. The characters in Allegory remorsefully speak of how the “white man’s way of life” changed their people forever.  If any of us lets our way of life die, soon after we will die.