Julie Flett

Julie Flett is a Cree-Métis author and illustrator, primarily working in children's books. Her books have won numerous awards, including the Governor General's Literary Award and the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award.[1] Flett is also a strong advocate for women in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.

Julie Flett
Born
Toronto, Ontario
NationalityCanadian
Known forIllustration, Children's literature
Notable work
We All Play, Birdsong, The Girl and the Wolf, When We Were Alone, We Sang You Home, My Heart Fills With Happiness, Little You
Awards
TD Canadian Children's Literature Award
American Indian Youth Literature Award

Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award

Aboriginal Literature Award

Canadian Native Arts Foundation Visual Arts Acquisition Program

Early life and education

Flett was born in Toronto, Ontario.[2] She studied for one year at Alberta College of Art and Design, taking coursework in textiles,[3] before transferring to Emily Carr University of Art + Design in Vancouver, British Columbia to study film.[4] She completed a degree in Fine Arts at Concordia University in Montreal and afterwards relocated to Vancouver, where she currently resides with her son.[5][6]

Flett cites The Woman in the Dunes by the Japanese writer Kōbō Abe as having a profound effect on her personality.[7]

Works

Flett's writing and illustrations primarily centre Indigenous people, particularly Cree and Métis children.[8] Her mixed media illustrations incorporate texture and collage techniques as well as photography, drawing, and painting.[9] She cites Cree and Inuit artists including Meelia Kelly, Pitseolak Ashoona, Annie Pootoogook, and Christi Belcourt as influences, in addition to her mother who was a textile artist.[3][2] Flett notes that she explores her heritage through her art, drawing inspiration from her Cree-Métis culture.[2]

Flett states that her illustrations are influenced by "the warm, muted colours and tones and the simplicity" of children's books from older generations.[10] Her illustrations for children's books are oriented to young audiences, while her freelance work is intended for a general audience.[11] The books that she has created independently and collaboratively have been praised for their cultural relevance and unique worldview.[3]

Her 2019 book Birdsong was met with widespread acclaim, winning the 2020 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award.[12] It was named a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature, [13] an honor title for the 2020 American Indian Youth Literature Award,[14] and a best book of 2019 by Kirkus Reviews,[15] School Library Journal, [16] Publishers Weekly, [17] and The Horn Book Magazine. [18]

Reception
Book TitleAwardResult
Birdsong (Author and Illustrator)TD Canadian Children's Literature AwardWon
Governor General's Literary Award Shortlisted
American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Title
When We Were Alone (Illustrator)McNally Robinson Book for Young People Award, Manitoba Book AwardsWon
Governor General's Literary Award - Young people's literature — illustrated books[19] Won
TD Canadian Children's Literature Award Shortlisted
We Sang You Home (Illustrator)Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year  (2017) Commended
CCBC Best Books (2017) Commended
BOLOGNARAGAZZI AWARD Toddlers (2019) Commended
My Heart Fills with Happiness (Illustrator)Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize (2017) Won
Girls of Summer Reading List (2017) Commended
Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year (2017) Commended
Global Read Aloud (2018) Commended
Indigenous Literature Award (2018) Short-listed
Pakwa Che Menisu / Wild BerriesFirst Nations Communities READWon
Little You (Illustrator)2016 American Indian Youth Literature Award Best Picture Book[20]Won
Lii Yuboo Nayaapiwak Swer (L'Alfabet De Michif) / Owls See Clearly at Night (A Michif Alphabet)Governor General's Award for Children's Literature[21]Nominated
Children's Literature - Illustratiol[21]Nominated
2011 Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award Shortlist[21]Honorable Mention
Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize[21]Won
2010 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Award[21]Won
BC Book Prizes[21]Won
Alcuin Society Book Design Awards Honor Book[21]Won
Zoe and Fawn (Illustrator)Multicultural Picture Book in the 2007 Moonbeam Children's Books Awards (Medal)[21]Won
The Moccasins (Illustrator)Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize[21]Nominated
1993 Canadian Native Arts Foundation Visual Arts Acquisition Program[21]Won
Collective Works2014 Aboriginal Literature Award[22]Won

Flett's work has been well received by Canadian audiences. Flett's illustrative work has been called "gorgeous" and her work towards preserving the Cree language has been praised as decolonizing and re-Indigenizing perceptions of language within Cree culture.[23] Her books Wild Berries/Pakwa Che Menisu, Lii Yuboo Nayaapiwak Swer (L'Alfabet De Michif)/Owls See Clearly at Night (A Michif Alphabet), and We All Count make specific advances towards preserving language through teaching young children the language with captivating illustrations and bilingual text. These books are reindigenizing the way that literacy is taught in schools that have First Nations populations; allowing First Nations students to learn basic literacy skills in both English and a language of a First Nations group.[10]

Advocacy Works

After graduating from Concordia University, Flett returned to Vancouver and took on the role of visual communication program coordinator for First Nations. Flett also became involved with advocacy work for women on Vancouver's Downtown East Side.[21] She worked for the Positive Women's Network as an outreach worker for a period of time and discovered that she loved educating through her art.[24]

Through her writing, Flett is constantly working to keep the Cree language alive, and approaches this through a lens of education.[22] She not only does this through releasing books that have underlying messages about Indigenous teaching and ways of knowing, but also through putting those books in the hands of children. Flett has worked with librarians to work towards getting her books into the hands of children who will benefit from the literature. For example, the book "The Moccasins", illustrated by Flett made its way into the hands of an Aboriginal Foster Child and the book is about an Aboriginal Foster Child.[25] Helping children to find ways to keep in touch with the Indigenous community even in adverse circumstances is a type of advocacy that Flett captures in her children's books.

References
  1. https://www.cbc.ca/books/julie-flett-wins-50k-td-canadian-children-s-literature-award-for-picture-book-birdsong-1.5786466#:~:text=Julie%20Flett%20has%20won%20the,new%20neighbour%2C%20an%20elderly%20woman.
  2. Clare, Kerry (2014-11-26). "Julie Flett on Illustration and First Nations Children's Literature". 49th Shelf. 49th Shelf. Retrieved 2015-03-06.
  3. "Julie Flett is reclaiming Indigenous themes of community and language through her children's books | CBC Books". CBC. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  4. Flett, Julie. "about - julieflett". julieflett.com. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  5. "Julie Flett". Vancouver Public Library. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  6. "The book that changed your life: Julie Flett". The Georgia Straight. September 20, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  7. "Julie Flett is reclaiming Indigenous themes of community and language through her children's books | CBC Books". CBC. Retrieved 2020-11-21.
  8. "Authors". Simply Read Books. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  9. "Julie Flett's picture books honour her Aboriginal heritage". Quill & Quire. Quill & Quire. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  10. Flett, Julie. "illustration - julieflett". julieflett.com. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  11. https://www.cbc.ca/books/julie-flett-wins-50k-td-canadian-children-s-literature-award-for-picture-book-birdsong-1.5786466
  12. https://www.cbc.ca/books/the-finalists-for-the-2019-governor-general-s-literary-award-for-young-people-s-literature-illustration-1.5303511
  13. http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2020/01/aila-announces-2020-american-indian-youth-literature-awards
  14. https://www.kirkusreviews.com/news-and-features/articles/our-childrens-editor-shares-some-favorites-best-pi/
  15. https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=best-picture-books-2019-slj-best-books&utm_source=editorial&utm_medium=SLJTW&utm_term=&utm_content=&utm_campaign=articles
  16. https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2019/picture-books#book/book-2
  17. https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=fanfare-2019-booklist
  18. "Here are the winners of the 2017 Governor General's Literary Awards | CBC Books". CBC. Retrieved 2017-11-01.
  19. "2016 American Indian Youth Literature Award". Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  20. Wild Berries: Julie Flett, Earl N. Cook. ASIN 1897476892.
  21. ahnationtalk. "Julie Flett Scores First Nation Communities READ 2014-2015 Honour and $5,000 Aboriginal Literature Award". Nation Talk: Powered by You!. Nation Talk. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  22. Reese, D. "4 Mistakes in Children's Literature About Natives, and Books that Fix Them". Indian Country Today Media Network. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  23. "ANNUAL REPORT 2012-2013: Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services Society" (PDF). Access Futures. Access Building Futures Today. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  24. Strauss, Rochelle. "Spotlight Part One: Canadian Aboriginal Children's Authors and Illustrators". TVO Parents. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
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