The Prairie region in Canada includes the three western provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The Indigenous peoples in this region include Métis, First Nations represented by several main nations, namely; Cree, Blood, Ojibway and Blackfoot, Dakota, Lakota, Slave, Chippewayan, Beaver and Sarcee(1).
There are several renowned Indigenous writers from the Prairie region who are pioneers in literature. The pioneering spirit of Indigenous writers has built a new genre of literature and represents a new generation who bridge traditional oral teachings and the written word.
Maria Campbell, one such pioneer, Métis from northern Saskatchewan, is author of Halfbreed (1973) followed by several books and plays. Maria’s writings gave voice to the plight of Métis people in Canada and revealed to the world the shocking history of displacement and poverty in their own country. Maria is a seasoned lecturer, facilitator, community development worker and creative writer. Ms. Campbell has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Law from the University of Regina and has been faculty in the Native Studies program for the University of Saskatchewan. In 1996 her peers further honoured Maria Campbell as the recipient of National Aboriginal Achievement Award in Arts and Culture(2).
Another prolific Metis writer from the Prairies is Dr. Olive Patricia Dickason, who devoted her writing career to deepening insights into Canadian history from an Indigenous perspective. Dr. Dickason has received numerous awards over the years and is now a retired professor from the University of Alberta. The writings of Dr. Dickason were highly influenced by a profound curiosity and insistence on filling the gap with an Indigenous presence that was missing in anything she learned about Canadian history. Due to her persistence to ensure that Indigenous perspectives and truths become established in academic circles, Dr. Dickason was awarded one of the most prestigious awards in Canadian historiography, the Macdonald Prize and is a member of the Order of Canada. In addition, Dr. Dickason has received the highest recognition in Canada’s Aboriginal community: in 1997 the National Aboriginal Achievement Awards awarded her the Lifetime Achievement Award.
This article is a non-comprehensive and living document that provides an overview of artistic activities in the region. It will be revised as necessary as part of our ongoing process of continuous updates.
1) http://www.aboriginalcanada.com/firstnation/dirfnab.htm
2) http://www.naaf.ca/html/m_campbell_e.html