BIO & HISTORY

Arnolda Dufour Bowes is a Cree-Métis iskwêw and mother of three from Saskatoon, with roots from Sȃkitawȃk (Île à la Crosse), George Gordon First Nation, and Punnichy, Sask. She is the daughter and granddaughter of survivors of the Residential School system. Her firstbook, 20.12m: A Short Story Collection of a Life Lived as a Road Allowance Metis, received the 2021 National Danuta Gleed Literary Award and $10,000 grand prize of the Writers Union of Canada. In 2022, she received Best Indigenous Author at the international High Plains Awards.

Arnolda is an alumnus of the Whistler Film Festival and a participant in the 2025 Screenwriters’Lab with her feature project, Truthwalkers, a quarterfinalist in the 2024 GEMFest InternationalScreenplay Competition, now in development stages. Her carefully crafted short film, Kiskiskowina, is in the works and will be produced in her family’s language, Northern Michif—amilestone she is especially proud of.

Arnolda’s debut novel for young readers, Maggie-Lou, Firefox, was published by Groundwood Books in October 2023 and received a coveted starred review from Kirkus Reviews. The second book in the series, Maggie Meets Her Match, was released in August 2025 to wide spreadacclaim and was selected as a Gold Seal title by the Junior Library Guild in the USA. Arnolda is thrilled that the series is now being considered for adaptation into an animated production.

Arnolda is currently a Playwright Resident at Gordon Tootoosis Nīkānīwin Theatre, with her play“Apples and Train Tracks,” scheduled for staging starting in April 2026. Driven by a passion for expanding her creative horizons, she also works on poetry, jewellery making and photography as creative outlets.

Arnolda has collaborated with the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation to develop and lead creative writing workshops that integrate Indigenous teachings and ways of knowing with educating participants about the Road Allowance Métis and Métis Scrip. She also facilitates creative writing classes at the Saskatoon Provincial Correctional Centre.

As a storyteller and multidisciplinary artist, Arnolda was thrilled to have her art exhibit and short film, "Apples & Traintracks," tour three galleries across Saskatchewan during 2024 and 2025.

This project is another expression of her passion for sharing the truths and resilience of theRoad Allowance Métis.

Arnolda’s storytelling talent has earned multiple awards and shortlisting’s for many, as well as selection for notable film programs including Whistler Film Festival/Screenwriters’ Lab 2025,Banff World Media Festival/NETFLIX Diversity of Voices 2024, Whistler Film Festival/IndigenousFilmmaker Fellowship 2023, and the Tricksters and Writers Program 2021. She has also participated in community programs with Theatre Saskatchewan, spanning roles that include directing and playwriting, and remains committed to growth through Script Anatomy courses and community writing classes.

In addition to writing and artistry careers, Arnolda trains in boxing and competes in the strength sports Powerlifting and Strongwoman. She is proud of earning second place at the 2025 Oilsands Classic Strongwoman in Fort McMurray. Arnolda’s drive for

Arnolda is a spirited woman on a life journey to evolve herself as the seasons changecontinually in her life. She values learning new skills and living purposefully and finds writing therapeutic.

Arnolda sees herself as an organic creator; she creates beauty from the smallest remnants, whether through words, music or art. Her deepest desire is using her skills to paint vivid stories that mustbe heard or seen.