Francine Cunningham facts for kids
Francine Cunningham (born 1984) is an Indigenous writer, artist, and teacher. She is from the Cree and Métis peoples. Francine writes books and poems, creates art, and helps others learn.
Her first poetry book, On/Me, was recognized for its powerful writing. It was nominated for the BC and Yukon Book Prize and the Indigenous Voices Award for poetry. It was also nominated for a City of Vancouver Book Award in 2021.
Contents
About Francine Cunningham
Her Early Life
Francine Cunningham was born in 1984. She grew up in Calgary, Alberta. For more than 15 years, she lived in Vancouver, British Columbia. Now, she lives in Strathmore, Alberta.
Her Education and Training
Francine studied Visual and Performing Arts at Keyano College. She learned a lot about acting there. Later, she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre. She also got a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing. Both of these degrees are from the University of British Columbia.
Her Creative Journey
In 2014, Francine joined a special writing program. It was called the Indigenous Writing Studio at the Banff Arts Center. That same year, she won second place in a contest called "Our Story: Aboriginal Arts and Stories."
Today, Francine travels to First Nation's reserves across Canada. She leads workshops there. In these workshops, she teaches creative writing and art.
Her collection of short stories, God Isn't Here Today, won an important award in 2023. It received the ReLit Award for short fiction.
Awards and Recognition
Francine Cunningham has received many awards for her writing and art. Here are some of them:
- 2014: Second Place in the Our Story: Aboriginal Arts and Writing Challenge for her story "2822".
- 2017: She was a Winner of the Hnatyshyn Foundation: REVEAL Indigenous Art Awards.
- 2017: She was a Winner of the Telus StoryHive's 10K Web-Series Edition for her project "The Berg".
- 2018: She was a Winner of the Grain Magazine: Short Grain Contest for her story "Starting A Religion".
- 2019: She was a Winner of the Indigenous Voices Award in the Unpublished Prose Category for Teenage Asylums.
- 2019: Her story "Glitter Like ..." was Shortlisted for The Malahat Review's Far Horizon's Fiction Award.
- 2020: Her book On/Me was Nominated for the BC and Yukon Book Prize.
- 2020: She was a Winner of the CV2 Lina Chartrand Poetry Award for "Blood Quantum".
- 2020: Her book On/Me was Nominated for the Indigenous Voices Award.
- 2023: Her book God Isn't Here Today was Longlisted for the Carol Shields Prize for Fiction.
- 2023: Her book God Isn't Here Today was a Winner of the ReLit Award.
