The First Nations Book Fair in Quebec is the perfect and unique opportunity in Canada to discover and celebrate the talents of local authors. This is an event not to be missed from November 17 to 20 at the Morrin Centre, at the Maison de la littéraire and in several libraries in the Capitale-Nationale region.
This major event, which will be in its 11th edition this year, promotes First Nations writers and scholarly work interested in Aboriginal literatures. The complete program will be unveiled soon on social networks by Kwahiatonhk!, which is the non-profit organization overseeing the First Nations Book Fair. The mission of this organization based in Wendake is not only to promote Indigenous literature, but also to raise awareness among audiences and organizations about the needs and realities of Indigenous authors and literature.
Far from being just a book fair, the Salon is a literary event on a human scale where real encounters are possible between First Nations authors, publishers, researchers and, above all, the general public. Since 2011, the Salon has been organizing poetry lunches, conferences, round tables with authors and experts in Aboriginal literature and even a literary bingo. In a festive and humorous atmosphere, the public is invited to discover First Nations literature from the 1970s to today by playing this interactive game where the abacus has a new role: it decides which texts the authors will read. guests and volunteers from the public. All in a beautiful musical atmosphere.
For more info on the First Nations Book Fair: kwahiatonhk.com
Top honors for two authors
Very recently, two great writers of Innu origin were rewarded for their entire work.
This summer, journalist and writer Michel Jean became a Companion of the Order of Arts and Letters of Quebec. “This honor shows young Indigenous people that our work can be recognized. […] Friends have told me that when they were young they didn’t believe it was possible to write. I thought it was time I started talking about it and using the little visibility I have so that people see that it is possible to be indigenous and a writer or a journalist,” said he told the magazine 7 days. His books kukum in the same way Atuk, her and usare among the best sellers on the leslibraires.ca website.
Novelist Naomi Fontaine received the Library and Archives Canada award this summer, which recognizes the exceptional contribution of Canadians to the creation and promotion of cultural, literary and historical heritage. The 35-year-old author was surprised to win this prize considering that she is at the start of her career, she testified to Radio-Canada. For Ms. Fontaine, who has produced three award-winning novels in 10 years, literature is “a wonderful way to enter a nation, a culture and discover it from within”.
Website: https://kwahiatonhk.com/