Nicola I. Campbell is a Nłeʔkepmx, Syilx, and Métis poet, author, and educator who lives in British Columbia.[1] Her picture book Shin-chi's Canoe won the 2009 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award.[2]

Nicola I. Campbell
AwardsTD Canadian Children's Literature Award (2009)
Academic background
EducationUniversity of British Columbia (MFA, Ph.D.)
Academic advisors

Personal life

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Campbell grew up on the traditional territory of the Nłeʔkepmx and Syilx people[1] in the Nicola Valley of British Columbia.[3] Her mother is of Interior Salish and Nsilx ancestry, and her father is Métis; many of her family members attended residential schools.[2] Her maternal aunt is Indigenous Canadian author Maria Campbell, whose work inspired Campbell's interest in Indigenous traditions, history, and writing.[4]

Career

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Academia

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Campbell received a Master of Fine Arts from the University of British Columbia (UBC).[1] Her memoir, Spíləx̣m, was completed for her master's thesis under the advisory of Keith Maillard.[1] Later, she completed a Doctor of Philosophy from UBC with Jeannette Armstrong and Greg Younging on her advisory committee.[citation needed]

Campbell is an assistant professor in the Indigenous Studies program at the University of the Fraser Valley.[3]

Writing

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Campbell's first book, Shi-shi-etko, illustrated by Kim LaFave, was published by Groundwood Books in 2005. The book went on to be a finalist for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award,[5] Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award,[6] and Ruth Schwartz Award. In 2018, CBC Books included Shi-shi-etko on their list of "14 inspiring children's books from Indigenous writers."[7]

Her second book, Shin-chi's Canoe, also illustrated by Kim LaFave, and published by Groundwood Books, was published in 2008. It won the 2009 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award[5][8] and was a finalist for the year's Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award.[6]

Grandpa's Girls, also illustrated by Kim LaFave and published by Groundwood Books was published in 2011. The book was a finalist for the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize.[9]

A Day with Yayah, illustrated by Julie Flett, was published by Tradewind Books in 2017. In an interview with CBC Books, Campbell explained that she didn't want tragedy to be the only story told by and about Indigenous people.[4] Instead, she wanted to write a book that helped Indigenous people feel "empowered."[4]

Campbell published Stand Like a Cedar, illustrated by Carrielynn Victor, with HighWater Press in 2021.[citation needed]

In 2021, Campbell published her memoir, Spíləx̣m: A Weaving of Recovery, Resilience, and Resurgence, which was first written to fulfill the requirements of her thesis project for her Master of Fine Arts degree. The book was a finalist for the Jim Deva Prize for Writing That Provokes.[10]

Awards and honours

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In 2022, Spíləxm was selected for inclusion in White Ravens.[11]

Awards for Campbell's writing
Year Title Award Result Ref.
2006 Shi-shi-etko Anskohk Aboriginal Children's Book of the Year Award Winner [2]
2006 Shi-shi-etko Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award Finalist [6]
2006 Shi-shi-etko TD Canadian Children's Literature Award Finalist [5]
2009 Shin-chi's Canoe TD Canadian Children's Literature Award Winner [5][8][2]
2009 Shin-chi's Canoe Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award Finalist [6]
2010 Shin-chi’s Canoe Forest of Reading Silver Birch Award Finalist [12]
2012 Grandpa's Girls Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize Finalist [9]
2018 A Day with Yayah Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize Finalist [13]
2022 Spíləx̣m Jim Deva Prize for Writing That Provokes Finalist [10]

Publications

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Children's books

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Memoir

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  • Spíləx̣m: A Weaving of Recovery, Resilience, and Resurgence, HighWater Press (2021)

Contributions

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  • "alpine mountains" and "frog whispers" in Resurgence: Engaging With Indigenous Narratives and Cultural Expressions In and Beyond the Classroom, edited by Christine M'Lot and Katya Ferguson
  • "how do I decolonize through stories?" in Room (2022), vol. 44, issue 4, p. 16
  • "when an elder turns their gaze" in Room (2022), vol. 44, issue 4, p. 14
  • "work in progress" in Room (2022), vol. 44, issue 4, p. 9
  • "work in progress too" in Room (2022), vol. 44, issue 4, p. 11

References

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  1. ^ a b c d Killjoy, Micah (2022-05-05). "Interview with Nicola I. Campbell: Issue 45.4 Commissioned Author". ROOM Magazine. Archived from the original on 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  2. ^ a b c d "Nicola I. Campbell and Kim LaFave receive coveted TD Canadian Children'sLiterature Award for Shin-chi's Canoe". NewsWire. 2009-11-19. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  3. ^ a b "Nicola I. Campbell". Indigenous Studies > Faculty and Staff. University of the Fraser Valley. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  4. ^ a b c "B.C. author hopes to brighten Indigenous narratives". CBC Books. 2017-12-03. Archived from the original on 2022-08-30. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  5. ^ a b c d "Previous TD Canadian Children's Literature Award Winners and Finalists". Canadian Children's Book Centre. Archived from the original on 2022-12-08. Retrieved 2023-05-14.
  6. ^ a b c d "Previous Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award Winners and Finalists". Canadian Children's Book Centre. Archived from the original on 2023-03-04. Retrieved 2023-05-13.
  7. ^ "14 inspiring children's books from Indigenous writers". CBC Books. 2018-10-26. Archived from the original on 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  8. ^ a b "2009 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award Recipient: Nicola I. Campbell". Canadian Children's Book Centre. Archived from the original on 2022-11-29. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  9. ^ a b Carter, Sue (2012-03-08). "Esi Edugyan, JJ Lee, Charlotte Gill nominated for B.C. Book Prizes". Quill and Quire. Archived from the original on 2022-12-05. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  10. ^ a b Drudi, Cassandra (2022-04-13). "Shortlists announced for 2022 B.C. and Yukon Book Prizes". Quill and Quire. Archived from the original on 2022-08-08. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  11. ^ Mandarano, Tara (2022-10-18). "White Ravens 2022". Canadian Children's Book Centre. Archived from the original on 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  12. ^ "Silver Birch Express Award® Winners and Nominees 2007–2022" (PDF). Ontario Library Association. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2023-05-19. Retrieved 2023-05-28.
  13. ^ "Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize". BC and Yukon Book Prizes. Retrieved 2023-05-29.