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Teoni Spathelfer est membre de la nation Heiltsuk de la côte britanno-colombienne. Depuis l’enfance, elle se passionne pour les récits de sa culture et de celle d’autres peuples du monde. Spathelfer a été agente publicitaire, journaliste radiophonique, animatrice et productrice. Elle est également auteure et compositrice de musique. Son documentaire Teoni’s Dream (Le rêve de Teoni), qui raconte l’expérience de sa mère dans les pensionnats, a été présenté sur les ondes de CBC Radio. Ses photographies, publiées dans divers médias, sont vendues de façon privée. Elle est très fière de ses trois filles et de ses quatre petits-enfants. Elle vit à Sooke, en Colombie-Britannique. Teoni Spathelfer is a member of the Heiltsuk Nation from coastal BC. Since childhood she has loved immersing herself in her own culture and learning about other cultures around the world. Spathelfer has worked as a publicist; a radio journalist, host, and producer; an arts and music writer; and the author of the Little Wolf Series of picture books. Her documentary Teoni’s Dream, informed by her mother’s residential school experience, has aired nationwide on CBC Radio. Her photography has been featured across various media and sold privately. She has been blessed with three daughters and four grandchildren. Nicole Laurendeau est traductrice et vit à Sherbrooke, au Québec, sur le territoire ancestral de la Nation W8banaki. Elle a été enseignante au programme d’immersion française en Colombie-Britannique pendant près de 20 ans, et puise dans cette expérience pour traduire des livres pour enfants adaptés au niveau de lecture des élèves du primaire. Elle traduit également pour un public jeunesse, et s’intéresse aux récits mettant en lumière l’histoire et la culture autochtones, ayant vécu dans des communautés métisses et chipewyan du nord de la Saskatchewan. Elle est reconnaissante de tous les enseignements qu’elle y a reçus et souhaite vivement participer à la réconciliation. Nicole Laurendeau is a translator and lives in Sherbrooke, Quebec, on the ancestral territory of the W8banaki Nation. She was a teacher in the French immersion program in British Columbia for almost 20 years, and draws on this experience to translate children's books adapted to the reading level of elementary students. She also translates for a youth audience, and is interested in stories highlighting Indigenous history and culture, having lived in Métis and Chipewyan communities in northern Saskatchewan. She is grateful for all the teachings she received there and eagerly wishes to participate in reconciliation. Natassia Davies est artiste et graphiste d’héritage Salish de la Côte et vit à Victoria. Depuis près de dix ans, elle crée des illustrations sur médias traditionnels et numériques, conçoit des identités visuelles et élabore divers outils de communication pour des entreprises, des particuliers et des organismes sans but lucratif. Elle travaille également en collaboration avec des groupes autochtones et des peuples des Premières Nations pour produire des outils éducatifs et des œuvres d’art public. Natassia a contribué à de nombreuses murales autochtones géantes qu’on peut admirer à Sooke et dans le port de Victoria. Natassia Davies is a BC-based artist and graphic designer and is of Coast Salish ancestry. For nearly a decade, Natassia has worked traditionally and digitally to create illustrations, develop visual brand identities, and design various other visual communications tools for local businesses, individuals, and non-profits. She is the illustrator of the Little Wolf Series, by Teoni Spathelfer, and she also works with other First Nations Peoples and Indigenous groups to create educational tools and public art pieces. Natassia has collaborated on multiple large-scale Indigenous murals that can be found throughout Sooke and Victoria’s harbour.
Awards for English-language edition (White Raven): SHORTLIST, INDIGENOUS VOICES AWARDS 2022 SHORTLIST, CITY OF VICTORIA CHILDREN’S BOOK PRIZE 2022 LONGLIST, FIRST NATION COMMUNITIES READ AWARDS 2022/2023 Praise & Reviews for English-language edition (White Raven): “Storytelling is essential for healing! Mixed with historical facts and lovely art, the values of mentorship and courage shine through in this important story.” —Robert ""Lucky"" Budd, co-author of the Northwest Coast Legends Series “Spathelfer tells her mother’s story about her time at residential school with so much grace and care. White Raven is an honest and heartfelt glimpse into the lives of children who went to residential school, as well as the generational impacts the schools had on their families.” —Jodie Callaghan, Mi'gmaq storyteller and author of The Train ""In White Raven, the author’s voice is a clarion call to action of remembrance, truth and reconciliation that has thus far been missing from many of our library book shelves. Highly Recommended"" —CM: Canadian Review of Materials ""The story demonstrates the heartbreaking truth about residential schools in Canada, but also makes evident the perseverance and strength in Indigenous Peoples as they find their way back to culture and the truth. This title is a good introduction to residential schools, and is an important story for all children and all Canadians to learn."" —Canadian Children's Book News, Winter 2021
