22. Thrilling Tales with Richard Van Camp

Winner of the Blue Metropolis First Peoples Literary Prize, Storyteller of the Year from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers, and the Order of the Northwest Territories, Richard Van Camp has written 28 books in 28 years… and it looks like his incredible career of storytelling magic continues in 2024. In his latest, Beast, he blends realism with hair-raising horror in a spirited tale that pits the powers of tradition against the pull of a vengeful past in the fictional town of Fort Simmer, Northwest Territories. In conversation, Van Camp will speak more about what draws him back to this riveting fictional place in multiple books, how he became so prolific, and the Indigenous stories that are inspiring him today. Grades 8–12. Moderated by Jael Richardson.

Themes: Magic realism, horror, friendship, tradition, Indigenous storytelling
Curriculum Connections: English Language Arts 8-9, Creative Writing 10-12, Contemporary Indigenous Studies 12

Presented in partnership with Talking Stick Festival.

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Event Participants:

Jael Richardson

JAEL RICHARDSON is the author of the memoir The Stone Thrower, a picture book by the same title and the picture books Because You Are and The Hockey Jersey. Her debut novel, Gutter Child, was shortlisted for the Amazon First Novel Award. She is the founder and Executive Director of the Festival of Literary Diversity (FOLD). She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Guelph and lives in Brampton, Ontario.

Richard Van Camp

Born in Fort Smith, NWT, bestselling-author RICHARD VAN CAMP is a member of the Dogrib (Tłįchǫ) Dene Nation. He’s been awarded the Blue Metropolis First Peoples Literary Prize; Storyteller of the Year from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers; and the Order of the Northwest Territories.