Drew Hayden Taylor
@TheDHTaylor
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I cook some, do laundry, and when possible, a little writing. I repeat when necessary. Currently reside in the Chinatown section of Curve Lake First Nation.
Joined July 2015
Growing up a thousand years ago, does anybody else remember wearing bread bags over their socks to water proof their feet? My partner Janine says that’s only a Rez thing….
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Wow. I’m stunned. I’ve been getting LOTS of criticisms regarding Orange Shirt Day/RS graves, saying I’m perpetuating a lie to make White people feel guilty. They ask “Where are the bodies!” These people don’t understand- the whole country is an Indian burial ground.
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Re:protesters in Ottawa building some type of wooden structure in a park. It's so unlike settlers to show up out of nowhere, uninvited, and start building things on land that isn't theirs.
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The thing about being a settler is we don't want you to feel guilty. That doesn't do anybody any good. Instead, feel motivated. Make the world a better place than how your ancestors left it.
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54 potential children's graves found on 2 Residential schools located on the Keeseekoose First Nation. This winter keeps getting darker and gloomier. I'm finding myself looking out my window, in silence. I don't have any children but they're all our children.
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Was asked again if 'White' people can write stories with Indigenous characters. I said yes. Many of my stories include non-Native people. In Canada, we all go in and out of each other's life. That's real. But-pay attention- I do not write from their perspective. Big difference.
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I’m noticing a trend. White people once destroyed the buffalo as a way of incapacitating the Prairie People. Now they’re going after the lobster and Mi’kmaq. I say we go after all the kale and low fat macchiatos and see how they feel.
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How many popular indigenous books can you see at this Airport shop? 20 years ago I did not see this.
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Hate it when people say Natives don't pay taxes. I pay taxes. When I hit a pothole I mutter "dammit, I'm paying for that to be fixed!" Every time I hear a racist on CBC saying we don't pay taxes, I think "dammit, my taxes are paying for people to hear that guy being an idiot.".
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Just read Canada was rated #1 in the world for quality of life. As a Canadian Indigenous man I was tempted to raise a glass of water to celebrate. then I realized I was an Indigenous man raising a glass of water from a First Nation community. my enthusiasm waned mysteriously.
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Wearing my orange shirt at the airport on my way to Mexico. I’ve seen these shirts and flags down there so the message is spreading.
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Getting my doctorate (Hon) at McGill. It’s said the most important of the Seven Grandfather teachings is Humility. Moments like this make that difficult. So proud and honoured.
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AN IDIOT'S GUIDE TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE.There are 634 separate Nations in Canada, about 60 languages/dialects. There is no one uniting 'Indigenous' anything except for 3 possible exceptions.A collective history of colonization. A relationship to the land. Fabulous sense of humour.
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Some tragic irony- Dawn Dumont Walker, who has been missing for almost two weeks with her son, has been short listed for the Stephen Leacock Humour Award for her book, 'The Prairie Chicken Dance Tour'. I truly hope her story has a happy ending.
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AN IDIOT’S GUIDE TO INDIGENOUS PEOPLE: Indigenous people like to drink water. Preferably clean water. Frequently from a tap. The Government is looking into it.
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Doing a documentary for CBC about Pretendians and already I'm getting flack from both sides. "As a high profile Indigenous person, its your responsibility 2 out pretenders", to "As the whitest looking Indian I know, you're just spreading mistrust & hatred.".This is why I drink.
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In this sometimes cruel and uncaring world, it seems happy endings can still happen. Dawn Dumont Walker and son found alive in the States. Great news to begin the weekend on!.
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We Won!! The Pretendians won Best political/social documentary program at the Canadian Screen Awards! Wahoo! Might have to start working on a sequel: .“The Pretendians II - They’re back and this time it’s personal!”.
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Today Canada's Supreme Court to decide if they will hear an appeal by survivors of the St. Anne's Residential School, the school famous for their use of a home made electric chair. That is literally a sentence most of the civilized world would not believe could be true.
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When Settlers ask me how they can best become allies, I tell them the first step is to buy me a raisin butter tart. You must understand, all journey's begin with a small step. That shows a willingness to begin the journey, and commit. I have spoken. Aho.
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Got amazing news. The Pretendians was just nominated for two Canadian Screen Awards; Best social/political documentary, and best writing. Add to that, I was just nominated as best host/Interviewer for Going Native! This is definitely worth that extra strip of bacon this morning.
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I have just been informed I have won the PMC Indigenous Literature Award, in the Young Adult/Adult Category, for my novel CHASING PAINTED HORSES. I am so honoured. To my fellow nominees, we all know somebody goofed. This cloudy day in Curve Lake just got a little sunnier for me.
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If anybody asks, I am a Buffy supporter. But in the morning, after all the dust has settled, regardless of what is said and reported, I have a feeling the sun will rise. Children will play. Breakfast will be made. And her music will still be played.
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In the spirit of decolonization, how should the term “the missionary position” be renamed?.
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To the James Smith Cree First Nation and it’s adjoining communities, my thoughts are with you. A cousin of mine passed away and I am off to the sacred fire, I will put down a little more tobacco when I’m there, for you.
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HBC selling the orange "Every Child Matters" t shirts is possibly like the Canadian Pacific Railroad offering special rates to Chinese passengers.
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I’ve met Murray Sinclair many times but the most memorable was at some function where, in the green room killing time, for some forgotten reason he, Lee Maracle, my Partner and myself sang ‘Hooked on a Feeling’ full blast. Above everything else he did, that made him great to me.
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We signed treaties with this guy's ancestors?.
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There is so many revelations of horrors that exist and existed regarding the Indigenous community. I would just like to respectfully add, there were also many, many, many wondrous and fabulous things in our communities that kept and keep us going.
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Just got an email from somebody who's upset I use the term 'settler' in my articles, saying its inaccurate and hints of repressed anger. He wants me to stop using the term. I am however allowed to use the term Descendants of Settlers. Should I do that or. just settle down?.
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A high school Indigenous, Equity and Human Rights Department will not allow a class to read one of my plays aloud if they’re not Indigenous. Bizarre. I gave them permission. Meanwhile I’m sitting in an airport reading THE BOOK OF NEGROES at the top of my lungs to make a point.
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So proud to announce I have been honoured with this year’s Indspire Award for the Arts. At first I had hoped it was the Youth Award but was told “that ship had sailed.” In fact, the ship was by now in another hemisphere and time zone. But still absolutely thrilled.
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A hair salon in Peterborough. Read closely. Very cool.
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Here’s a new phrase I’ve just learned - Reconciliation fatigue. During the process of healing, Elders telling their stories over and over again, at schools and conferences, is stressing them out over time. I can understand that.
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Last week I happily reported my COTTAGERS AND INDIANS was long listed for the Stephan Leacock Medal for Humour. Today I am happy to report I was short listed. Congratulations to my fellow nominees - Heidi L.M. Jacobs and Amy Spurway. If I'm allowed to be self indulgent, YAY!.
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Usually I am all about the healing power of humour in our communities… but some mornings you wake up and wonder if there is any way this could heal.
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Take Canada Back. Back to when?.Back when Native kids were kidnapped and abused in so-called educational institutions?.Back to when there was a head tax on the Chinese. Back to when slavery was still allowed in Canada.Just wonderin' aloud. .
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What is the most obscure thing that you are most proud of? For me, at the age of 25 I wrote a Beachcombers. A good chunk of today's generation has no idea what that means but I was and am so proud of that. Might just put it on my tombstone!.
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Liquid water has just been found on Mars. However, it is considered severely non-drinkable. Therefore scientists have concluded there must be a Reserve nearby.
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Just found out a school (or schools?) in Halton, for the Grade 9 curriculum, are now replacing ROMEO & JULIET with two of my YA plays, GIRL WHO LOVED HER HORSES/BOY IN THE TREEHOUSE. So delighted and honoured. Still, I'm a big fan of R & J but mine have a happier ending.
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The Durham District S. B. has pulled The Great Bear by award winning Indigenous author David A. Robertson from its libraries due to "content that could be harmful to Indigenous students and families". When I was a student, it was the lack of Indigenous books that i found harmful.
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To all the Millennials out there, this is a history lesson. Back in the day, this is what we used to call a “VCR”.
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The Wikwemikong High School robotics team is the oldest such indigenous team in Canada, consists of approximately 25 students, and are mostly girls. How cool is that?.
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Senator Beyak says there is no racism in Canada. Good to know. I always feel comforted when a successful, educated, privileged White woman tells me that. I assume there is no poverty too? Or sexism? How about winter?.
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"Those poor Ukrainians, invasion and occupation sucks", heard on a Reserve somewhere in Canada.
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Some are calling for an investigation into the nomination process 4 picking a Governor General, simply because many find it insulting Mary Simon does not speak French. Of all the things happening in this country, that's what's getting an investigation?.So much for decolonization.
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Wab Kinew elected first Indigenous Premier in Canada. And its about 28 degrees outside. See!? Hell didn't freeze over.
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Today I’m working on my taxes, something I’m frequently told by some settlers that we Indigenous people don’t do. I don’t think the CRA got the memo.
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Did an interview with a reporter, older than me, that did not understand why the term "indian" was problematic. More interestingly, he had no idea where the term "Indian" came from. That actually surprised me. So I told him. We were named after the motorcycle company.
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The Pope has come to Canada. Where's Sinead O'Connor when you need her?.
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Absolutely no disrespect to Indigenous (and non-Indigenous) adoptees, but putting Lynn Beyak's logic into practice i.e. she is Metis because her parents adopted an Indigenous child. A long time ago my mother adopted a cat so I guess that makes me 1/4 tabby. Meow.
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Confirmed- Two Indigenous MPs are leaving Parliament. History has given our people a very thick skin. almost calloused. from historical mistreatment. So for these two women to wave goodbye. I'm not sure how you say 'toxic' in the various Indigenous languages.
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Today it won’t be just the moon that disappeared. Sunny Willie, after a 20 year sojourn on this planet has left us. May you spend eternity lapping up the Milky Way, chasing those meteors, and using the moon as your private litter box.
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Still amused that Pat King, who once claimed to be Indigenous, was refused bail and forced to spend additional time in jail. Maybe he is Indigenous after all.
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Sad morning to wake to. Just saw on Twitter that the great writer, activist, and good friend Lee Maracle has left us. She was a great inspiration to me. Hard to believe I’m never going to hear that boisterous laugh again.
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People talk about people you run into at the airport. Well,ran into this gentleman, Mr. Waub Rice, on the fourth floor of the big CBC building. We were both trying out for the role of Jesse Jim in the Beachcombers reboot. Unfortunately they said I’d be perfect for Relic.
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Ryerson University plans to change its name because of the baggage attached to the man who inspired it. The University of Toronto, however, will keep their name despite sharing its name with the much maligned Toronto Maple Leafs.
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A ray of sunshine in my quarantined existence - just found out my published play, COTTAGERS AND INDIANS, has just made the long list for the Stephan Leacock Humour Award. As our Elders used to say, today is a good day to be funny.
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It's Sir John A. Macdonald's birthday. What do you give a man who took everything?.
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So delighted to report yours truly will be getting an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from Trent University. Was thinking of changing the title of Going Native to Dr. Drew but I heard it's already been taken. Might just shorten it to Dr. Dre.
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A beaver has shut down a subway in Toronto. Years ago in my book Motorcycles & Sweetgrass I prophesied a raccoon uprising. And all this time it’s been those dam beavers planning a rebellion. Save yourselves!.
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The infamous Wounded Knee Massacre happened today in 1890. If you have a moment, and even if you don’t, remember that. The various governments still think we’re expendable. Tell them we’re not. Believe it or not, this is still an issue.
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Gerald Stanley found not guilty after shooting an unarmed young man 3 times. And Native women are being killed in Thunder Bay with trailer hitches. And so many world citizens think Canada is so civilized. .
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My aunt passed away last night. She taught generations of our young people Anishnawbemowin in the school system. It’s a gloomy dark day, both inside and out.
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I am proud to announce I have just signed with McClelland & Stewart for my upcoming Indigenous horror (with lots of humour) novel COLD. And its a two book deal!.This Christmas, that means new socks for BOTH me and my partner.
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Heads up. In the midst of the gloom, there can still be good news. And humour. Thomas King is the winner of the 2021 Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour for his semi-autobiographical novel Indians on Vacation.
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Got my 2nd shot! I am now legal! Isn’t modern science wonderful. Now if we could only drink from our taps. I know. I’m sounding greedy.
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The Surrey School board has pulled novels like To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie and several others off High school curriculum. They're concerned about trauma they may cause. I'm traumatized just reading this.
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“We’re drowning in knowledge but starving for wisdom.”.Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall
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Sacheen Littlefeather, who refused an Academy Award for Marlon Brando, passed away. Her appearance/speech at the awards highlighted injustices against Indigenous people in the media. Added bonus, it really pissed off John Wayne.
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Artistic Director of a western theatre wants to produce my play COTTAGERS AND INDIANS but his board of directors have issues with my title. And its not the first time in these politically correct times. So, I guess I will have to find something not as offensive as 'COTTAGERS'.
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Quite the Indigenous presence at the Emmy awards last night. Lily Gladstone, Kali Reis and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai were there to represent, with D'Pharaoh wearing a red hand print on his face, supporting MMIWG. I'm raising my coffee this morning to these brave & talented people.
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Colonization:.First go for the land. Then go for the children. Then go for the memory .(i.e. it wasn't all that bad. There were good things. Just move on).
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Dinner in a small Bremen, Germany restaurant. Young waitress asked where I was from. Canada. She said her class was studying Canada. I asked what specifically. "Society, Residential schools. " My jaw dropped. They had just finished reading INDIAN HORSE. God I love this country.
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Can’t believe I just found this picture of the amazing Lee Maracle and me, with two other fabulous women writers. Do you recognize them?
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My new sweatshirt! I know it’s too hot now but come the fall, I shall wear it in public and let the games begin!
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My Curve Lake bird feeder. A bit unconventional but a bird is a bird and a feeder is a feeder.
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My partner and I have a disagreement. I say people generally don’t notice shoes. She maintains they do. So I wore my funky Inuit made seal skin dress shoes to the Indspire Awards last night, with almost 600 people, and nobody noticed or commented. I rest my case.
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Found in Abbotsford, BC, on a children’s playground fence.
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In Toronto, I understand the Santa Clause parade is this morning with, for the first time, a float representing the Anishnaabe creation story. Word has it that its because Santa believes he's 1/64 Anishnaabe and wants the world to know it.
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I'm celebrating Winter Solstice today. I know it was yesterday but I'm on Indian Time. Don't oppress me with your western concepts of time management.
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It's official. The Indigenous population of Canada hits 1.8 million, growing at twice the rate of the non-Indigenous population. We all know its just because of these three guys on the pow wow trail.
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I've had people say "Isn't the fact you write in English a form of reverse cultural appropriation?" Not when your ancestors had a metaphorical and actual gun put against their head forcing them 2 abandon their language and learn English. But maybe that's splitting hairs. .
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It has certainly been an interesting and delightful spring. I have already reported that Trent University is bestowing on me an honourary doctorate. Well, I have just found out McGill University is also blessing me with one too. I am humbled.
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Land acknowledgments are the condiments in the potluck of reconciliation. They add to the overall meal but by themselves, it’s not very filling.
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Today Canada has its 153rd birthday and I have my 58th. On the whole, I think I've weathered the years somewhat better. My place is covid free. I'm not in nearly as much debt as Canada, and my relationship with Indigenous people is substantially better.
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So delighted. Just found out my play, COTTAGERS AND INDIANS, will be performed -outdoors-at the Theatre On The Ridge in Port Perry, Ontario, opening on July 13th. Theatre is coming awake! .I knew the coffee would kick in eventually.
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Saw a movie this afternoon and on the production credits was this Native guy that seems to work on practically every movie I’ve seen. He seems very busy. His name is Chief Lighting Technician. Don’t know what nation though.
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Does wearing a hoodie like this add to the problem or merely ironically comment on the problem?
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So proud to report I have been asked to write the forward to Richard Wagamese's last book of non-fiction, his exploration of the Seven Grandfather teachings called "One Drum". Alas, it was not completed before he left this earth, but enough is there to recognize Richard's spirit.
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Heads up- got an article in the Globe about Pretendians/race shifters. I wish I didn't have to write articles like this. Puppies, I could be writing about puppies.
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IT’S OUT!!! The new novel is officially released today!! I hope the book’s reception is opposite to its title.
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Got my 4th covid shot. My shoulder is kind of sore, and I'm feeling a mild sense of euphoria at the thought of all the anti-vaxxers I'm annoying without even trying. Might be worth a 5th shot.
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Amazing news- Mary Simon is Canada’s first Indigenous/Inuk Governor General. Will the GG’s official seal be an actual seal?.
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Heads up- if you’re sitting home alone on a Saturday night like me, please feel free to watch my Documentary COTTAGERS AND INDIANS on CBC tonight at 8. You’ll find out how manoomin, sand, aqua ducts, and a subtle but impudent Pinot noir are all connected.
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Hey, just had an idea. If the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are gonna need RCMP security, maybe they can pull them off the Wet’suwet’en checkpoint and reassign them. Hey, a boy can dream. .
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So tired of hearing about the expanded Marvel universe, the LOTR universe, the GOT universe, Walking Dead universe… Let’s start talking about really interesting Canadian possibilities. The Beachcombers universe? The Littlest Hobo universe?.
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OMG -just found out my book, CHASING PAINTED HORSES has been short listed for the PMC Indigenous Literature Award! Great way to start my weekend. Even more amazing, look who I'm nominated with:.@kmcbridewrites, Brianna Jonnie & Nahanni Shingoose, @WordsandGuitar and Helen Knott.
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