Maria Campbell

Maria Campbell (born April 26, 1939 near Park Valley, Saskatchewan) is a Métis author, playwright, broadcaster, filmmaker, and Elder. Campbell is a fluent speaker of four languages: Cree, Michif, Western Ojibwa, and English. Four of her published works have been published in eight countries and translated into four other languages (German, Chinese, French, Italian). Campbell has had great influence in her community as she is very politically involved in activism and social movements. In 1969, she published Many Laws, a handbook that explained the issues faced by Indigenous people who move into cities. In Campbell's Halfbreed, the first chapters focus on the early stages of her life, where her sense of identity was created from her community near Spring River, Saskatchewan. Campbell's community had a prominent role in the formation of her identity. Based on the progression of her writing, Campbell became increasingly isolated as her community split apart. Campbell was born and raised in a Métis community and makes a distinction between the identities "Indian" and "halfbreed." These pages, discovered in the McClelland and Stewart fonds at McMaster University, reveal how Campbell was raped at the age of 14 by members of the RCMP, and how she was prevented from including these pages in her published autobiography by publishers McClelland and Stewart.

A new, fully restored edition of Halfbreed was published by McClelland and Stewart in November 2019 with the two missing pages included. This updated edition includes a new introduction by Métis scholar Kim Anderson, and an afterword by Campbell.

Maria Campbell's Halfbreed consists of anecdotes with humorous expressions. Stories like these, with a humorous effect are important in the upbringing of Métis children, as they are often used in storytelling practices. The humour used in her work counteracts Campbell's negative life experiences, and is seen as an expression of survival. The humorous effect in Halfbreed removes dark aspects describing the struggle faced by many Indigenous populations and reduces perceptions of a continued struggle. She has also translated stories in The Road Allowance People to Cree and Michif. Campbell chose to translate her work into what she describes as "Village English", as she felt that this was more representative of her experiences and community, then using standard English.

Her short-story, "Blankets of Shame" is included in the anthology of Native American Women's writing and art, #NotYourPrincess (Annick Press, 2017).

Campbell has also been featured on the CBC Radio talk show Our Native Land. Distinguished Canadian Award (2006) Saskatchewan Order of Merit (2006) Canada Council for the Arts Molson Prize (2004) Saskatchewan Theatre Hall of Fame (2000) Chief Crowfoot Award, Department of Native Studies, University of Calgary (1996) National Aboriginal Achievement Award (1995) Golden Wheel Award, Rotary Club, Saskatchewan (1994) Saskatchewan Achievement Award, Government of Saskatchewan (1994) Gabriel Dumont Medal of Merit, Gabriel Dumont Institute (1992) Chalmers Award for Best New Play (1986) Dora Mavor Award (1986) Order of the Sash, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan (1985) National Hero, Native Council of Canada (1979) Vanier Award, Vanier Institute (1979) Honorary Chief, Black Lake First Nations (1978).

Honorary Doctorate Degrees

University of Regina (1985) University of Winnipeg (2018)

Academic career

Assistant Professor at the University of Saskatchewan (current; cross-appointed in the departments of English, Drama and Native Studies, and as a Special Scholar under the Dean of Arts and Science) Stanley Knowles Distinguished Visiting Professorship, Brandon University (2000–01) Sessional Instructor, Saskatchewan Federated Indian College (since 1998) Aboriginal Scholar, University of Saskatchewan (1995) Lecturer, University of Saskatchewan (1991–1997)

Writer-In-Residence

University of Winnipeg (2008–09) University of Saskatchewan (1998–99). Whitehorse Public Library (1994–95) Prince Albert Public Library (1985–86) Persephone Theatre (1983–84) Regina Public Library (1980–81) University of Alberta (1979–80)