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Speaking
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~ Jesse Thistle, Historian & Author
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~ Jesse Thistle, Historian & Author
A dynamic Métis woman originally from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Arnolda studied creative writing with Guy Vanderhaeghe at the University of Saskatchewan. Her first book, 20.12m, is a compelling and acclaimed coming-of-age collection of stories based on her father’s childhood among the marginalized Métis Road Allowance community at Punnichy, Saskatchewan, during the late 1940s. The book received several major awards in 2022: Danuta Gleed Literary Award and $10,000 grand prize from The Writers Union of Canada and the international High Plains Award for Best Indigenous Writer. It was among SaskBooks’ best-selling titles of 2021 and won the Saskatchewan Books Indigenous Publishing Award.
She is a Sask Teacher’s Federation facilitator, teaching how to build stories through Indigenous pedagogy. Arnolda also facilitates a creative writing class at the Saskatoon Correctional Center. She admits she is no expert, but Arnolda seeks to share her knowledge and constructs a safe and engaging environment.
READ ARNOLDA’S FULL BIO & HISTORY >
Quill & Quire Article on the Danuta Gleed Award
Kirkus Review of Arnolda’s Book “Maggie Lou, Firefox“
Click on an Article Below to Read More
CBC Article on the Danuta Gleed Award
CBC Article about Arnolda’s Book “20.12m”
2022 High Plains Book Award Winner Announcement
Nov 27 2022 CTV Interview
June 21 2021 CTV Interview
Quill & Quire: 2022 High Plains Book Awards winners
Kirkus Review of Arnolda's Book "Maggie Lou, Firefox"
Quill & Quire Article on the Danuta Gleed Award
CBC Article on the Danuta Gleed Award
CBC Article about Arnolda's Book "20.12m"
Quill & Quire: 2022 High Plains Book Awards winners
2022 High Plains Book Award Winner Announcement
October 2023 CTV Interview: New Book Maggie Lou, Firefox
New Book Launch Reading: Maggie Lou, Firefox at McNally Robinson October 2023
From 20.12 m ~ Pg 31
C. Adrian Heidemreich, Ph D
Jesse Thistle
Historian & Author
Professor Emeritus of Native American Studies/Anthropology, Montana State University Billings
~ Arnolda Dufour Bowes
is based on Arnolda’s short story “Apples & Traintracks,” from 20.12m. This exhibit reveals the plight of the prairie Road Allowance Metis during the 1930’s-40’s, their history of dispossession, discrimination and forcible removal by the Saskatchewan government.
Her sister, Andrea Haughian, created the original artwork for her book 20.12m and a few captivating new pieces for this display. Her signature style is abstract realism, and her medium is acrylic.
Accompanying the short narration film Arnolda wrote and directed, you will walk through her free-spirited Askiy (Earth) art. It includes her photography, poetry, mixed media pieces, reclaimed pieces from their father's Road Allowance home at Punnichy and natural components she crafted to accentuate our deep-rooted connection to the land and to explore a piece of our history.
The Road Allowance Metis were innovative, resourceful, and full of life; nothing was wasted, not even experiences. In this exhibit, you will journey within a story, and Arnolda desires that you empathize with the strength, resilience, and determination of the Road Allowance Metis.
Wanuskewin
May - June 2024
Allan Sapp Gallery, North Battleford
Mar 1 - Apr 13, 2025
Dates/Locations TBA 2025:
Amelia Douglas Institute, Surrey BC
Duncan, BC
Red Deer, AB
Arnolda’s passion is to provide hope and reconciliation through truth-sharing and storytelling and to provide her audience with knowledge and encouragement. Arnolda can tailor presentations to fit the audience, whether addressing a book club, university, elementary or high school classroom, or professional or casual setting.
She is a Sask Teacher’s Federation facilitator, teaching how to build stories through Indigenous pedagogy. Arnolda also facilitates a creative writing class at the Saskatoon Correctional Center. She admits she is no expert, but Arnolda seeks to share her knowledge and constructs a safe and engaging environment.
Schedule a Speaking Engagement
“Keep taking up space,” Maggie’s mother says. “You’re only making room for the girls behind you.”
From Maggie Lou, FireFox ~ Now Available!
Maggie Lou, Firefox, released by Groundwood Books in 2023. “An amusing story showcasing Métis humor at its finest. Starred review.” Kirkus Review Purchase at Indigo, McNally Robinson or local bookstores.
Currently, book two of this series, “Maggie Meets Her Match,” is due for a Spring 2025 release date, and Arnolda is excited to announce that Maggie Lou is in the development of becoming an animation series.
Maggie Lou, Firefox was nominated for the Red Cedar Book Award and was included on the ABA Children’s Group Best Books for Young Readers, the Kirkus Best MG Books of the Year and NPR’s Books We Love.
Arnolda's screenplay Truthwalkers was conceived through the 2023 Tricksters and Writers program and was further developed through the 2024 Whistler Film Festival, Indigenous Filmmaker Fellowship.
Gordon Tootoosis Nikaniwin Theatre selected Arnolda for its 2023 New Voices Playwright Residency program.
She is entering her second year as a playwright resident with GTNT and continues to work on the play adaptation of Apples & Traintracks, which has a production timeline of 2025/2026.