November 5, 2025

Cherie Dimaline

Cherie Dimaline is an internationally bestselling author. Her 2017 book The Marrow Thieves was named by TIME magazine, one of the Best YA Books of All Time and won the Governor General’s Award and the Kirkus Prize. Her novel Empire of Wild became an instant Canadian bestseller, was named Indigo’s 2019 Best Book and is being adapted into an opera. Hunting By Stars was a 2022 American Indian Library Association Honor Book and her new novel VENCO debuted at #1 on Canadian bestseller lists. Other 2023 titles include Funeral Songs for Dying Girls, Anthology of Monsters and Into the Bright Open. Cherie lives in her Georgian Bay Métis Community and writes/produces for screen and stage.

December 3, 2025

Waubgeshig Rice

Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation. He’s written four books, most notably the bestselling novels Moon of the Crusted Snow and Moon of the Turning Leaves. He graduated from the journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2002 and spent most of his journalism career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a video journalist and radio host.

In addition to his writing endeavours, Waubgeshig is an eclectic public speaker, delivering keynote addresses and workshops, engaging in interviews, and contributing to various panels at literary festivals and conferences. He speaks on creative writing and oral storytelling, contemporary Anishinaabe culture and matters, Indigenous representation in arts and media, and Waubgeshig lives in Sudbury, Ontario with his wife and three sons.

January 7, 2026

Ivan Coyote

Ivan Coyote is a writer, storyteller and performer. Born and raised in Whitehorse, Yukon, they are the author of thirteen books, the creator of four films, seven stage shows, and three albums that combine storytelling with music. Coyote’s books have won the ReLit Award, the B.C. Book Prize for Writing That Provokes, been named a Stonewall Honour Book, been longlisted for Canada Reads, been shortlisted for the Hilary Weston Prize for non-fiction, and the Governor General’s Award for non-fiction twice.

In 2017 Ivan was given an honorary Doctor of Laws from Simon Fraser University, and an Honorary Doctor of Arts from Yukon University in 2023. Coyote is currently serving as a Specialist in Inclusion and Creative Expression at Yukon University. Ivan’s 13th book, Care Of, was released in June 2021 by McClelland and Stewart.

February 4, 2026

Carolyn Roberts

Carolyn Roberts is St̓ át̓ imc and Stó:lō woman belonging to the Thevarge family from N’Quatqua and the Kelly Family from Ch’iyáqtel and under the Indian act she is a proud member of the Squamish Nation. Carolyn is a Speaker, Author, Indigenous academic, and a faculty lecturer at UBC in their Teacher Education and NITEP programs. With over two decades of experience in education, Roberts has served as both an educator and administrator in the K-12 public schools, First Nation Band schools, and post-secondary institutions.

Carolyn’s first book, Re-Storying Education: Decolonizing Your Practice Using a Critical Lens, quickly became a bestseller and has been influencing educators since it’s release in September, 2024. In April 2026, Carolyn’s first children’s book, Tess’s Red Dress: Honouring Love and Family will be released.

Facilitator

Monique Gray Smith

Monique Gray Smith is an award-winning, best-selling author and sought after speaker. In 2022, Monique adapted Robin Wall Kimmerer’s New York Times Best selling book, Braiding Sweetgrass for a new generation of readers. Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults was released in November 2023.

Monique has 10 books ranging for readers across the life span. Children’s books include My Heart Fills with Happiness, You Hold Me Up, When We Are Kind, Lucy and Lola and I Hope, and to be released in April 2025, Dreaming Alongside.

Young Adult and Adult books include Speaking our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation, Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience. Monique’s novel, Tilly and the Crazy Eights was long listed for Canada Reads 2021. In January 2026, Monique’s first adult non-fiction, Sharing the Light will be released.

Monique’s books are used to share wisdom, knowledge, hope and the important teaching that love is medicine.