Wanda John-Kehewin
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Wanda John-Kehewin is a Cree-Métis (Kehewin Cree Nation) author and poet.
Early life and education[edit]
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] 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 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.[4] 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.[5]
Career[edit]
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][note 1] 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, is scheduled to release in September 2023.[3][6]
Personal life[edit]
John-Kehewin currently lives in Vancouver.[1]
Books[edit]
Poetry[edit]
- In the Dog House (2013), Talonbooks[7]
- Seven Sacred Truths (2018), Talonbooks[7][8]
- Spells, Wishes, and the Talking Dead ᒪᒪᐦᑖᐃᐧᓯᐃᐧᐣ ᐸᑯᓭᔨᒧᐤ ᓂᑭᐦᒋ ᐋᓂᐢᑯᑖᐹᐣ mamahtâwisiwin, pakosêyimow, nikihci-âniskotâpân (2023)[1][9]
Graphic novels[edit]
Novels[edit]
- Hopeless in Hope (2023)[3]
Awards[edit]
- World Poetry Empowered Poet Award 2018, for In the Dog House[8]
- Finalist for the Indigenous Voices Awards 2019, Published Poetry in English, for Seven Sacred Truths[11]
Notes[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c d e f g 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.
- ^ "February 2019 - Onjana Yawnghwe and Wanda John-Kehewin". www.sfu.ca. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
- ^ Townsend, Natasha. "Wanda John-Kehewin - Continuing Studies". www.sfu.ca. Retrieved 2023-06-05.
- ^ Hopeless in Hope.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Seven Sacred Truths". CBC. August 1, 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ "Spells, Wishes and the Talking Dead by Wanda John-Kehewin". CBC. February 27, 2023. Retrieved 4 June 2023.
- ^ VISIONS OF THE CROW | Kirkus Reviews.
- ^ "2019 IVAs". Indigenous Voices Awards. Retrieved 2023-06-05.