BC Libraries Present: Indigenous Fiction

A series of compelling author talks presented virtually by BC’s Public Library Community

For the second year in a row, BC’s public libraries are hosting a virtual author series to bring new insights and voices to library users in every corner of British Columbia: BC Libraries Present. Public libraries are known as centres of dialogue on many important ideas in their communities. To build upon that role, Public Library InterLINK has brought together many libraries, both big and small, to host these events and provide access to award-winning authors to library users across the province.

For the second season of this series, the topic is Indigenous Fiction. Indigenous writers have been a crucial part of the literary landscape for a long time, with stories that bring important perspectives and capture the imaginations of diverse audiences. Indigenous fiction in particular is breaking ground with award-winning and bestselling novels that are shifting conversations and opening minds across the country.

The fall 2024 lineup, starting in September, will feature three phenomenal authors who have garnered top praise and huge readership across the country, providing an opportunity for readers across BC to be part of a live conversation of their essential new books. 

All events are hosted on the BC Libraries Present Crowdcast channel: crowdcast.io/@bclibraries-present

BC Libraries Present is a project of BC’s public library federations with the generous financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.


 

Alicia Elliott: And Then She Fell

  • Thursday, September 19 — 6:30 to 8:00 pm Pacific

Three pictures.  Left-to-right, a headshot of Alicia Elliott wearing a white shirt with long brown hair, the front cover of "And Then She Fell", and a headshot of Carleigh Baker wearing a black shirt with two long black braids on either side of her head.

Following the success of her groundbreaking memoir A Mind Spread Out on the Ground, Alicia Elliot’s new novel And Then She Fell has quickly become an award-winning national bestseller. It’s a story about Native life, motherhood, and mental health that follows a young Mohawk woman who discovers that the picture-perfect life she always hoped for may have horrifying consequences.

For the first event of this fall lineup, join Alicia Elliott in conversation with award-winning author Carleigh Baker.


katherena vermette: real ones

  • Tuesday, October 15 — 6:30 to 8:00 pm Pacific

Three pictures.  Left-to-right, a headshot of katherena vermette wearing a black shirt with long brown hair, the front cover of "real ones", and a photo of Michelle Cyca, seated, wearing a blue shirt with medium length hair.

False claims to Indigenous identity has gotten headlines across the country in recent years, with famous writers, academics, and artists uncovered as “pretendians.” The issue has been the subject of popular podcasts, feature articles in major magazines, and even a CBC documentary.

Bestselling author katherena vermette’s new novel, real ones, tells the story of sisters who must face their past trauma when their mother is called out for false claims to Indigenous identity. It’s a novel that explores the impact that pretendianism has on Indigenous peoples, and pays homage to the long-fought, hard-won battles of Michif (Métis) people to regain ownership of their identity.

For the second event of this lineup, join katherena vermette in conversation with award-winning writer Michelle Cyca.


Jessica Johns: Bad Cree

  • Tuesday, November 12 — 6:30 to 8:00 pm Pacific

Three pictures.  Left-to-right, a headshot of Selina Boan wearing a white shirt with long black hair, the front cover of "Bad Cree", and a headshot of Jessica Johns wearing a gray shirt, yellow scarf, and glasses, with medium length hair.

Jessica Johns’s debut novel, Bad Cree, is a gripping story about intergenerational trauma that follows a Cree millennial who has haunting dreams about her dead sister and Kokum. This groundbreaking horror novel that grapples with the effects of grief and the power of kinship, got a country-wide spotlight on CBC Canada Reads 2024.

For the third event of this lineup, join Jessica Johns in conversation with award-winning writer Selina Boan.


BC Libraries Present is a new virtual author series that brings new insights and voices to people in every corner of British Columbia. This series is a project of BC’s public library federations, coordinated by Public Library InterLink, with the generous financial support of the Province of British Columbia through the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

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