In this Native Circles episode, Eva Bighorse and Dr. Farina King sit down with Violet Duncan, an award-winning author, dancer, and storyteller from the Plains Cree of the Kehewin Cree Nation and of Taino descent. Together, they trace Violet's path as a creative force, diving into the themes of her National Book Award-nominated youth novel, Buffalo Dreamer (published by Nancy Paulsen Books in 2024), and her upcoming children's book, "Life is a Dance." The conversation touches on the impacts of the Indian residential school system, the power of storytelling in mental health and community healing, and the joys and challenges of family life. Violet's reflections on promoting Indigenous storytelling and arts through her work with Young Warriors, dedicated to cultivating spaces for Indigenous performance and practices, offer a powerful reminder of the resilience and vibrancy of Indigenous peoples.
Recommended Resources:
Violet Duncan, official website
Violent Duncan, About the Author webpage on Penguin Random House
Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan webpage on Penguin Random House
"Buffalo Dreamer: An Interview with Author Violet Duncan [S7 Ep. 228]," Brave New Teaching podcast, October 10, 2024
I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis and Kathy Kacer Reviewed by Debbie Reese, Social Justice Books
"Violet Duncan- I Am Native," interview on KidLit in Color
"Guest Post: Recognizing Our Past, Awakening Our Future by Violet Duncan (Buffalo Dreamer)," School Library Journal, September 4, 2024
Violet Duncan on Instagram @violetduncan