A series of compelling author talks presented virtually by BC’s Public Library Community.
For the second season of this series, the topic is Indigenous Fiction.
Indigenous writers have been a crucial part of the literary landscape for a long time, with stories that bring important perspectives and capture the imaginations of diverse audiences. Indigenous fiction in particular is breaking ground with award-winning and bestselling novels that are shifting conversations and opening minds across the country.
Scheduled
katherena vermette: real ones
Tuesday, October 15 — 6:30 to 8:00 pm Pacific
False claims to Indigenous identity have gotten headlines across the country in recent years, with famous writers, academics, and artists uncovered as “pretendians.” The issue has been the subject of popular podcasts, feature articles in major magazines, and even a CBC documentary.
Bestselling author katherena vermette’s new novel, real ones, tells the story of sisters who must face their past trauma when their mother is called out for false claims to Indigenous identity. It’s a novel that explores the impact that pretendianism has on Indigenous peoples, and pays homage to the long-fought, hard-won battles of Michif (Métis) people to regain ownership of their identity.
Jessica Johns: Bad Cree
Tuesday, November 12 — 6:30 to 8:00 pm Pacific
Jessica Johns’s debut novel, Bad Cree, is a gripping story about intergenerational trauma that follows a Cree millennial who has haunting dreams about her dead sister and Kokum. This groundbreaking horror novel that grapples with the effects of grief and the power of kinship, got a country-wide spotlight on CBC Canada Reads 2024.
Past events
Alicia Elliott: And Then She Fell
Thursday, September 19 — 6:30 to 8:00 pm Pacific
Following the success of her groundbreaking memoir A Mind Spread Out on the Ground, Alicia Elliot’s new novel And Then She Fell has quickly become an award-winning national bestseller. It’s a story about Native life, motherhood, and mental health that follows a young Mohawk woman who discovers that the picture-perfect life she always hoped for may have horrifying consequences.
WATCH NOW
All events are hosted on the BC Libraries Present Crowdcast channel crowdcast.io/@bclibraries-present.
BC Libraries Present is a project of BC’s public library federations with the generous financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.