Tiffany Kelly's newest children's book is a hit, based on reactions from youngsters and their parents at a recent reading at Fort Smith's Mary Kaeser Library.
"The children seemed to enjoy the story, and their grown-ups appreciated learning about the background of the stories and how they are connected to my own family," she said after the reading. "It definitely filled my heart with joy. It has always been a dream of mine to become a published author. Having a public reading in a library, which is one of my favourite places in town, meant so much to me. I am proud of the work I have accomplished, so happy I could include the names of my family through characters in my stories, and so happy to know that my stories can reach people from all over the world."
Kelly, the principal of Fort Smith's Joseph Burr Tyrrell Elementary School, has now published three books: The Dancing Trees, We Love You as Much as the Fox Loves Its Tail, and her most recent, Bannock in a Hammock, which was released through Inhabit Media on Sept. 3.
Much like her first two books, she wrote her latest to give representation to her Dene and Inuk heritage, and to help keep her peoples' stories alive.
"Growing up, I didn't see many SA国际影视传媒� if any SA国际影视传媒� books that reflected myself, my family or my community," she said. "Being Dene and Inuk means I always carry with me the values and traditions that my family taught me, while also including the lens of being Indigenous and learning to walk in two worlds.
"Many of our stories and traditions are being lost and we are in a fight against time when it comes to recording stories, histories and lived experiences of our Elders and knowledge-keepers. My hope is that with my books, I'm able to share stories that I grew up with, that help readers learn important lessons, help them feel loved and help us enjoy our food, like bannock, that can be enjoyed in so many ways. Although I only have three books published, I'm happy that it's three more books out there that kids can see themselves and their community represented in."
Kelly hopes the youngsters who read her books "will be able to connect with the stories and see a reflection of themselves, their friends or their community in my books and in others."
"Children need to see characters and books that represent themselves, their families and friends," she said. "Readers then feel connected to the books and stories, which will hopefully contribute to conversations to share our knowledge, language, culture and teachings."
She estimates that each of her books has taken roughly a year to write, but each has been its "own process."
While it can be difficult for her to find time to write between her duties as "a mom, auntie, cousin, sister, daughter and administrator," she enjoys being creative.
"I find I am constantly searching for some creative outlet, as that is my own form of therapy," she said. "I bead, craft, sew, crochet and write."
She is proud of the books she has published so far, but is not resting on her laurels. She plans to write more children's books in the future and has ambition for even bigger projects as well.
"I would love to write more books, maybe a novel one day. It's really about identifying or thinking of a story that I feel I need to share with the world, then finding the time to actually write it out, but again, being a mom and an admin means that my schedule fills up pretty quickly. But one day in the near future, I hope to have more published."
