49th Shelf: Interview with Darrel J. McLeod about Mamaskatch
Today we’re pleased to share this interview with Darrel J. McLeod, who won this year’s Governor General’s Award for Nonfiction for his memoir Masmaskatch: A Cree Coming of Age (Douglas & McIntyre). READ FULL INTERVIEW→
CBC The Next Chapter: Peyakow is about love, Indigenous education and ‘walking alone’
McLeod spoke with The Next Chapter host Shelagh Rogers in Spring 2021 about Peyakow in a virtual event hosted by the Ottawa Public Library and the Ottawa International Writers Festival. HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS EPISODE→
CBC NXNW: A Season in Chezgh’un
Acclaimed Cree author Darrel J. McLeod joins Margaret Gallagher in the NXNW studio to talk about his debut novel, A Season in Chezgh’un, which follows a young Indigiqueer man taking on the role of school principal in a remote northern Dakelh community. Taking place over the course of a single year, the novel explores the indomitable spirit of the Dakelh culture, the splendour of nature, and a struggle with identity and connection to surroundings. LISTEN NOW→
Chulalongkorn University, Thailand: Public lecture, reading, interview
Darrel McLeod gives a special lecture, reads a section from Mamaskatch, and discusses some of the themes covered in the book as well as the impact his book has had on its readers to date. BALAC is Thailand’s first undergraduate program in cultural studies at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Arts. From November 2019, Sessions One and Two below.
Ottawa Public Library: Reclaiming Cree dignity
Join celebrated author Darrel J. McLeod in conversation with CBC’s Shelagh Rogers about Peyakow. This video is a recording of a live event hosted by the Ottawa Public Library on March 29, 2021.
Vancouver Public Library: Darrel McLeod in discussion with Shelagh Rogers
“I hope my novel seeds a profound desire to know more — the desire to connect personally with indigenous communities — and individuals as neighbors, friends and maybe even lovers.” —Darrel McLeod
In his first novel, acclaimed author Darrel McLeod brings us A Season in Chezgh’un, a fascinating read that depicts a world most will never experience: life on a typical Indian Reserve in Canada. McLeod takes the intimacy and candor he’s known for in his memoirs and uses them to paint the story of a talented and conflicted Cree man who spends a year in Northern BC taking in the indomitable spirit of the people, and the splendour of nature — all the while fighting to keep his dark side from destroying his life.
Join Darrel in discussion with acclaimed literary journalist Shelagh Rogers.
Word On The Street: Indigenous writers’ roundtable
From 2021: Every day, Indigenous people across Turtle Island are building a more hopeful future, through community initiatives, storytelling, and more. Join us as we hold space to grieve the losses of this year, honour the struggles and successes of those dedicated to Indigenous resistance, and discuss the role that writing has in decolonizing our world: how do books and storytelling contribute to healing? How do we celebrate and protect Indigenous storytellers? How have current events changed the way we write?
National Arts Centre: Healing Pages podcast
Healing Pages: Writing as Transformation. This National Arts Centre podcast episode features Darrel McLeod in discussion with Dr. Jillian Horton about his memoirs and topics of healing and moving forward. LISTEN NOW→