The spring reading series of the Sunshine Coast Arts Council, sponsored by the Canada Council for the Arts, begins with a presentation by Daniel Heath Justice, Cherokee Nation citizen and Professor of First Nations and Indigenous Studies at UBC.
In his recent book, Why Indigenous Literatures Matter, Justice explores the spirit of kinship behind Indigenous literatures across the world. He reveals the devastating effects of settler colonialism on Indigenous communities and the restorative work of Indigenous writers through literary arts rooted in the collective values of their people, their ancestors, and kinship that goes beyond family to the community, to other humans, and to the other-than-human world.
Leanne Betasamosake Simpson says of Justice’s work: “The book simultaneously affirms Indigenous writing, introduces Indigenous readers to the canon of Indigenous writing, and teaches non-Indigenous folks how to read our literatures.”
In addition to his academic writing, Justice is also author of an Indigenous fantasy trilogy as well as a book on badgers and one in development on raccoons.
Justice will be reading and discussing his work on Saturday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the Arts Centre in Sechelt. Admission is by donation.
– Submitted by Paddy Blenkinsop
