Nicola I. Campbell

Nicola I. Campbell is a Nłeʔkepmx, Syilx, and Métis poet, author, and educator who lives in British Columbia. Her picture book Shin-chi's Canoe won the 2009 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award. Her mother is of Interior Salish and Nsilx ancestry, and her father is Métis; many of her family members attended residential schools. Her paternal aunt is Indigenous Canadian author Maria Campbell, whose work inspired Campbell's interest in Indigenous traditions, history, and writing.

Career

Academia Campbell received a Master of Fine Arts from the University of British Columbia (UBC). Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, and Ruth Schwartz Award. In 2018, CBC Books included Shi-shi-etko on their list of "14 inspiring children's books from Indigenous writers."

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 and was a finalist for the year's Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award.

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.

Awards and honours In 2022, Spíləxm was selected for inclusion in White Ravens.

Publications

Children's books

Shi-shi-etko, illustrated by Kim LaFave, Groundwood Books (2005) Shin-chi's Canoe, illustrated by Kim LaFave, Groundwood Books (2008) Grandpa's Girls, illustrated by Kim LaFave, Groundwood Books (2011) A Day with Yayah, illustrated by Julie Flett, Tradewind Books (2017) Stand Like a Cedar, illustrated by Carrielynn Victor, HighWater Press (2021)

Memoir

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

Contributions

"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