Invite: A Conversation with David A. Robertson
What are you up to the evening of April 27? Come hang out with myself and David Alex Robertson as we have a conversation about his book The Barren Grounds, book one of the Misewa Saga.
David has been an author and storyteller that I have looked up to for many years. It has been a joy to see his work come to fruition, across a number of mediums and watch him recieve many accolades for the important and powerful storytelling he shares. As a new children’s book author, it is extremely humbling to have this opportunity to host a public chat with him about The Barren Grounds. I'm excited we can hear from the author directly about why he felt a story like this was so important. I may be bias here, but I wish this book and book series was around when I was growing up. I say this as someone who is passionate about story telling; I say this as someone with many experiences with CFS (child and family services) and poverty; and I say this as someone who loved reading the Chronicles of Narnia as a teen. I love seeing authors like David, writing books like these, knowing they are being read by so many Indigenous and non-Indigenous kids and adults. It's a comfort to me knowing kids can read things that combine imagination and possibility together with ceremony and cultural pride.
I also must acknowledge that there has been recent controversy over the next book in Misewa Series, The Great Bear, and an Ontario school district is reviewing its appropriateness because of “too much culture and ceremony”. Read the many articles that have been written about it here, here, here and here. I imagine David will have a thing or two to say about this as well when we sit down and chat together. In the mean time check out his website or his social media profiles!
Books like these save lives. This book and many like it impact Indigenous children in such powerful and positive ways that they create hope, prevent suicide and encourage cultural revitalization. If you haven’t read The Barren Grounds, or its sequel, The Great Bear, then I recommend you order them as soon as possible from your local book store or your local library ahead of our talk next week so you can come in fully prepared and immersed in the beautiful world that David has created.
Find below the formal invite and text from the North Shore Writers Festival describing the event and featured author David!
Join the North Shore Writers Festival for an enlightening discussion with award-winning author David A. Robertson about The Misewa Saga, fantasy with Indigenous influences, and writing for young readers. With Michael Redhead Champagne, Ininew public speaker, writer, community advocate and on-screen personality.
This is a virtual program that takes place online via Zoom. You'll need a computer with microphone and speaker/headphones, or your smartphone/tablet.
Registration is required. Register by April 27 at 12:00pm. The meeting link and instructions will be emailed to registrants on the day of the event.
For more information on this event or other 2022 North Shore Writers Festival events, visit www.northshorewritersfestival.com
The North Shore Writers Festival is presented in partnership by North Vancouver City Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, and West Vancouver Memorial Library.
The Festival would not be made possible without support from:
Friends of the Library groups from all three North Shore Libraries
If you have any questions, please reach out to nswftrivia@gmail.com
About the Presenter
About David A. Robertson
David A. Robertson is the author of numerous books for young readers, including When We Were Alone and On the Trapline (both illustrated by Julie Flett), both of which won Governor General’s Literary Award and was nominated for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award. He is also the author an acclaimed and bestselling middle-grade fantasy series called The Misewa Saga, as well as the graphic novel Reckoner series, and the adult memoir Black Water. The Barren Grounds (first in the Misewa Saga) was a Kirkus and Quill & Quire best middle-grade book of 2020, as well as a USBBY and Texas Lone Star selection, and was shortlisted for the Silver Birch Fiction Award (as was the follow-up, The Great Bear) and the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. A sought-after speaker and educator, Dave is a member of the Norway House Cree Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg.
