And so it begins

“All sorts of Indians live around here.”

That is the opening line in my debut novel, ALL NATIVE, and it is true of almost any place in North Coast BC, which I have called home for most of my life. Aboriginal people have a lot of stories to tell and, being of the Tsimshian Nation myself, I have decided it is time to start telling some of my own, in works of fiction based on my experiences and those of others.

I was born and raised in Prince Rupert, which is a hub for the area and home to the huge All Native basketball tournament that plays a big part in the book. The “City of Rainbows” is still my home, which I share with my partner, Grainne, and seven-year-old son, Conall. I have two other boys, Eli and Dylan, who also live in the city.

While ALL NATIVE is my first novel, I have written short stories and several plays, many of which were produced in Rupert and drama festivals in the Northwest. I will be making these works available for you to read as well. I plan to use this blog for discussions not only on my works but on other works and writing in general, as well as on Aboriginal issues and perspectives.

So, as my partner, family and friends have said to me for many years, in many different ways: Wai Wah!