Wanda John-Kehewin

Wanda John-Kehewin is a Cree-Métis (Kehewin Cree Nation) author and poet.

Early life and education

John-Kehewin grew up on the Kehewin reserve in Alberta, but did not grow up speaking the Cree language.[1] She lived with her mother, a Métis woman who struggled with alcoholism, for parts of her childhood.[2][3] John-Kehewin began writing poetry at age six, as a way to express he feelings.[4] She became aware of the lack of literature centering First Nations voices at a young age, after seeing the lack of representation in the books in her reserve's library.[3] At age 19, John-Kehewin became pregnant. She left her reserve and traveled to Vancouver.[2]

She attended Douglas College, where she studied criminology, and she also studied Sociology and Aboriginal Studies at Langara College.[5] She earned her Master of Fine Arts at University of British Columbia.[1] In 2011 she completed The Writer's Studio, a creative writing program at Simon Fraser University.[6]

Career

John-Kehewin has worked for the Canadian Ministry of Children and Families.[2]

John-Kehewin released her first graphic novel, Visions of the Crow, in 2023, with illustrations by Nicole Marie Burton.[2][3] The story features a Cree-Métis teenager who tries to figure out his relationship to a crow and a new girl at his school, while also dealing with his mother's alcoholism and life away from his Alberta reserve. It is the first in a planned trilogy.

Her first young adult novel, Hopeless in Hope, was published by Highwater Press in September 2023.[3][7] It won the 2024 Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize[8] and was included among the 41 titles selected for the 2024 USBBY Outstanding International Books List.[9]

Personal life

John-Kehewin currently lives in Vancouver.[1] She has five children.[10]

Books

Poetry

  • In the Dog House (2013), Talonbooks[11][12]
  • Seven Sacred Truths (2018), Talonbooks[11][13]
  • Spells, Wishes, and the Talking Dead ᒪᒪᐦᑖᐃᐧᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐸᑯᓭᔨᒧᐤ ᓂᑭᐦᒋ ᐋᓂᐢᑯᑖᐹᐣ mamahtâwisiwin, pakosêyimow, nikihci-âniskotâpân (2023)[1][14]

Graphic novels

Novels

Awards

  • World Poetry Empowered Poet Award 2018, for In the Dog House[13]
  • Finalist for the Indigenous Voices Awards 2019, Published Poetry in English, for Seven Sacred Truths[21]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Taylor, Rob (2023-04-26). "Learning a Second Language When It Should Be My First: An Interview with Wanda John-Kehewin". Read Local BC. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  2. ^ a b c d Narine, Shari (March 22, 2023). "Graphic novel tells story of the spiritual journey of Cree-Métis teen". Windspeaker.com. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Derdeyn, Stuart (March 23, 2023). "Visions of the Crow is Coquitlam author's graphic novel aimed at Indigenous teens connecting with cultural roots". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  4. ^ "Q&A with Wanda John-Kehewin". Victoria Festival of Authors. 2023-09-18. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  5. ^ "February 2019 - Onjana Yawnghwe and Wanda John-Kehewin". www.sfu.ca. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  6. ^ Townsend, Natasha. "Wanda John-Kehewin - Continuing Studies". www.sfu.ca. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  7. ^ Hopeless in Hope.
  8. ^ a b "Announcing the winners of the 2024 BC and Yukon Book Prizes". CCBC. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  9. ^ a b "2024 USBBY Outstanding International Books" (PDF). www.usbby.org. 2024.
  10. ^ Harowitz, Sara (2023-11-08). "Well Read: Wanda John-Kehewin, author of "Hopeless in Hope"". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  11. ^ a b "Seeking Peace: An Omnibus Review of Poetry by Wanda John-Kehewin, Arielle Twist and Kim Trainor". PRISM international. 2019-07-30. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
  12. ^ Wayman, Tom; Gingell, Susan (2014). "Realism & Conceptualism". Science & Canadian Literature (221): 162–63. Retrieved 2024-09-12 – via canlit.ca.
  13. ^ a b "Seven Sacred Truths". CBC. August 1, 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  14. ^ "Spells, Wishes and the Talking Dead by Wanda John-Kehewin". CBC. February 27, 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
  15. ^ "Britta Badour, Brandi Bird, Laila Malik each shortlisted twice for League of Canadian Poets prizes". CBC. 2024-04-17. Retrieved 2024-09-11.
  16. ^ VISIONS OF THE CROW | Kirkus Reviews.
  17. ^ "25 Picture Books, Graphic Novels, and More with Indigenous Protagonists for Young Readers Of All Ages". School Library Journal. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  18. ^ "Shortlists for the 2024 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Awards announced". Ontario Arts Council. 2024-05-16.
  19. ^ "2025 Northern Lights Nominees". MYRCA. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  20. ^ "Forest of Reading reveals chosen books for 2025 — students across Canada to choose winners". CBC. 2024-10-15.
  21. ^ "2019 IVAs". Indigenous Voices Awards. Retrieved 2023-06-05.