Avis Blackbird has been a creative soul for as long as she can remember, and her debut book of poetry is proof that the words never really left.
As a teenager, Blackbird turned to poetry as an outlet for her emotions. Then, like so many of us, life got in the way. Work, responsibilities and everything else that fills an adult calendar pulled her away from the page, and the writing slowed.
Finding the page again
It was COVID-19 that changed things. With the world suddenly quiet, Blackbird went looking for a way to express herself and fell back in love with writing. That return is the thread running through her first collection, which, as she describes it, has strengthened her sense of Indigenous identity.
That detail matters. For many Indigenous artists, creative work is not separate from who they are and where they come from. It is one of the ways identity gets explored, reclaimed and shared. A debut book is also a big step: it takes private writing and puts it into the hands of readers, which takes real courage.
Why local readers should care
Vancouver sits on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and Indigenous writers and artists are a vital part of this city’s creative scene. Stories like Blackbird’s remind us that a writing life does not always follow a straight line, and that coming back to your craft after a long pause can be its own kind of beginning.
We have not confirmed the book’s title, launch details or where to find it at the time of writing, so keep an eye on local bookstores and Indigenous-owned publishing and arts channels for updates.
Have you rediscovered a creative practice you thought you had left behind? Tell us about it. 👀
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