Brian Maracle facts for kids
Brian Maracle (also known as Owennatekha) is a Mohawk writer and broadcaster from Canada. He was born in 1947. He is well-known for being nominated twice for the Writers' Trust of Canada's Gordon Montador Award. This award celebrates Canadian non-fiction books. His nominated books were Back on the Rez and Crazywater: Native Voices on Community Well-being.
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Early Life and Education
Brian Maracle is a member of the Six Nations of the Grand River. He grew up in Ohsweken, Ontario, and also in New York. He later attended Dartmouth College for his education.
Becoming a Journalist
After college, Brian worked for organizations that support Indigenous communities in Canada. He then went back to school to study journalism at Carleton University. This helped him become a skilled writer and reporter.
Career as a Journalist and Author
Brian Maracle became a journalist focusing on Indigenous topics. He wrote for The Globe and Mail, a major Canadian newspaper. He also worked for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC).
Radio Host
One of his most famous roles was hosting the radio series Our Native Land on CBC Radio. This show shared important stories and perspectives from Indigenous communities.
Published Books
Brian Maracle has written several important books. In 1993, he published Crazywater: Native Voices on Community Well-being. This book explored challenges and strengths within First Nations communities.
His second book, Back on the Rez, came out in 1996. This book is a memoir, which means it tells the story of his own life. It shares his experiences moving back to Ohsweken after living and working in other places for many years.
Community Work and Later Projects
After returning to Ohsweken, Brian Maracle became very involved in his community. He helped start a Mohawk language immersion school. This school helps children learn and speak the Mohawk language.
Local Radio Host
He also hosted a radio program called Tewatonhwehsen! on the community radio station CKRZ-FM. This show helped keep the community connected and informed.
Collaborations
In 2012, Brian Maracle worked with his daughter, Zoe Leigh Hopkins. She is a filmmaker. Together, they created a sound art piece called Karenniyohston – Old Songs Made Good. This project brought old songs to life in a new way.
