First Aboriginal writer-in-residence at North York Central Library
By Christine Smith (McFarlane)
TORONTO – The Toronto Public Library has made huge strides in celebrating Aboriginal writers by appointing their inaugural Aboriginal writer-in-residence at North York Central Library.
In the first appointment as a writer-in-residence, at the Toronto Public Library, award-winning Metis author Cherie Dimaline says, “It’s such a great opportunity to be the inaugural writer for the Aboriginal literature residency. I really see it as a tremendous beginning for a partnership between the Aboriginal literary community and the busiest library system in the world.”
Cherie Dimaline is from the Georgian Bay area. Since 2007, she has written prolifically, with three books under her belt and another collection of short stories called “A Gentle Habit” being released in the fall of 2015. She is the founding editor of FNH Magazine and Muskrat Magazine and is a rising star in the Aboriginal literary field. Cherie’s second book, “The Girl Who Grew A Galaxy,” was recently shortlisted for the 2014 Burt Award. and was named the 2014 Emerging Artist of the Year, the Ontario Premier ‘s Awards for Excellence in the Arts.
Her appointment as writer in residence runs from March 2015 until June 2015 and will involve the reading of manuscripts, one on one appointments with emerging writers, discussions and workshops.
Deborah Richardson, the province’s first Indigenous female Deputy Minister who was at the event says, “Media often portrays First Nations, Inuit and Metis people in a negative light and it’s really important to celebrate the successes of our people, and that is one of the reasons why it is really exciting to see Cherie’s appointment or residency here at the library. ”
Dimaline is excited about her appointment .
“We are the people of story and the library, in this context, is the keeper of stories for the wider population. I think its a tremendous gift to the people of Toronto for the library to dedicate a residency program where Lee Maracle, Susan Blight, Giles Benaway and other incredible storytellers are involved. It opens up the beauty and expertise of Indigenous story to a whole multicultural city.”