Darrell “WindWalker” Scarrett is an Aboriginal poet from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. An Aboriginal Elder, after having read WindWalker’s early works observed: “He must walk upon the wind to gather the words he shares with people; much like the eagle that soars in the sky bringing back wisdom from the Creator.” Hence the name “WindWalker” was bestowed upon Scarrett.
Having spent his formative years surviving the mean-streets of the “core-area” of Winnipeg, Darrell’s spirit quickly rose high above the everyday surroundings and conditions of lack and despair, prejudice and ignorance, soon becoming a shining beacon of hope for all whose lives have been blessed enough to be touched by this “Earth-Angel”. (Scarrett prefers the term “Spiritual Warrior”)
In the ’80’s and ’90’s, capturing a childhood he never had, he voiced (or more aptly “brought to life”) the puppets known to thousands of children and adults as “Desmond the Dragon” and “Forgetful Lion” (amongst many more) for the popular local children’s television show “Magic Mike’s Castle” (which ran “live-to-tape” a record nine seasons for a show of its type); many feel the success of the show was largely due to the popular puppets and their interaction with the series host and producer, a professional magician. At Scarrett’s urging, the show became a showcase for young local talent, and many local Winnipeg youth got their first taste of television and the entertainment industry via the TV-show.
Not merely content to voice the popular characters, Scarrett (already working full-time facilitating youth programs for “at-risk” youth in Winnipeg) again encouraged Magic Mike and himself to appear at the children’s wards of hospitals, hospices, daycares, and senior homes; anywhere and everywhere that hope was needed, all of the shows done for free, even though Mike commanded a hefty fee at other times and appearances. “I learned the importance of gratitude and giving back, thanks to Darrell”, says Magic Mike today, from Vancouver, Canada. "I’ve learned from him that everyone who has and is still touching our lives, are part of the fabric of our being, like patches of a quilt. We build ourselves up and are made up of those who love us. He is a beacon of hope that shines through for all.”
Darrell WindWalker Scarrett's latest collection, “A GIFT FROM THE WIND”, contains 23 years of Christmas treasures: Darrell, who at age 17, had nothing but his heart to give as a Christmas gift, decided to write the poem “Christmas of Long Ago”, and share it with friends and family as his Christmas present. This moving and candid poem began that which was to be an annual Christmas tradition of hope and light.
The tearful but promising “Mama’s Wish Box”, and “The Tears of Angels” which explains snow as the “Joyful tears of angels who cried for the special child who came to save us…” to the special significance of a snow globe in “Remembering Christmas”, this journey of hope and wonderment is echoed in the objects on the special fold-out cover-page.
Darrell sums it all up: “a white candle representing hope; the peace pipe from the late William Brace who encouraged and inspired me to live my dream; the eagle feather from the late Senator of the Metis Nation Elsie Bear who said “I believe in you, now you must believe in yourself.” They will be remembered as two very special people who taught me to Hope…Dream…Believe…”
“A Gift From The Wind” by Darrell WindWalker Scarrett. Published by Crossing Borders Publications, Winnipeg, Canada. Copyright 2009 by WindWalker (R) All Rights Reserved.
Available directly from the author: magic-of-windwalker@hotmail.com
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