OJIBWE AUTHOR JOURNALIST MUSHKOTAY BEEZHEEKEE ANAKWAT (RICHARD WAGAMESE) BORN
As a teen, Wagamese, born in Minoki, Ontario (ON), of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nation, lived on the street after suffering abuse in foster homes. At age 23, reuniting with his family, he received his name which meant “Buffalo Cloud.” He was also told to tell stories. As a journalist for Calgary Herald, Richard won the National Newspaper, Native American Press Association (twice), and National Aboriginal Communications Society Awards. He published 6 novels, a book of poetry, 2 children’s books, and 5 non-fiction books. Publishing awards include: Georges Bugnet (1995); The Globe and Mail’s Top 100 Books of the Year (2008); Burt for First Nations, Métis & Inuit Literature (2013); Banff Mt. Book Festival Grand (2015); Indspire (2012); Writers’ Trust of Canada (2015); and Molson (2013). He also wrote for the TV series North of 60. A film based on his novel, Indian Horse, premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival. Wagamese died in Kamloops, British Columbia (BC), March 10, 2017.
Sources: Jules Lewis, “Richard Wagamese,” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 4/18/2017. Retrieved 3/31/2022, Richard Wagamese | The Canadian Encyclopedia “Ojibwe author Richard Wagamese dead at 61,” CBC News, 3/11/2017. Retrieved 3/31/2022, http://www.cbc.ca/news/indigenous/richard-wagamese-obit-1.4020899 Wikipedia Photo: Dan Harasymchuk, 9/15/2013. Permissive Use.
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