Leanne Betasamosake Simpson facts for kids

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson is a famous writer, musician, and teacher from the Mississauga Nishnaabeg First Nation in Canada. She is known for her work supporting Indigenous rights and for taking part in the Idle No More protest movement. Simpson teaches at the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning and lives in Peterborough, Ontario.

Early Life and Family

Leanne is a member of the Alderville First Nation. Her grandmother, Audrey Williamson, was born there in 1925. When Audrey was a child, her family moved to Peterborough, Ontario, so her great-grandfather could find work.

Leanne was born and grew up in Wingham, Ontario. Her mother, Dianne Simpson, is Nishnaabeg, and her father, Barry Simpson, has Scottish ancestors.

For a long time, Canadian laws like the Indian Act took away the official "Indian status" from many Indigenous women and their children if they married non-Indigenous men. In the 1990s, a new law called Bill C-31 allowed Leanne's grandmother and mother to get their status back. Later, in 2011, Leanne and other family members also regained their status because of another law, Bill C-3.

Education and Career

Simpson has a strong educational background in science. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Guelph and a Master of Science degree from Mount Allison University. She later received her PhD from the University of Manitoba.

Today, Simpson is a respected teacher and academic. She is a faculty member at the Dechinta Centre for Research and Learning, an Indigenous-led school. She has also taught at many other universities across Canada, including McGill University and Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University).

Activism and Important Ideas

Simpson is a powerful voice for Indigenous rights, environmental protection, and social justice. She was a key figure in the Idle No more movement, a series of protests that started in 2012 to protect Indigenous rights and the environment.

What is Indigenous Resurgence?

A central theme in Simpson's work is Indigenous resurgence. This idea is not about going back to the past. Instead, it's about rebuilding and strengthening Indigenous nations for the future. It means using traditional knowledge, languages, and stories to create strong, self-sufficient communities.

Simpson believes that Indigenous peoples should not have to rely on the Canadian government. She argues that true progress comes from communities working together, connected to their land and traditions. She is inspired by other movements like Black Lives Matter.

A New Way of Thinking

Simpson encourages people to think differently about the world. She explains that for centuries, a "colonial" way of thinking has been dominant. This way of thinking often involves taking resources from the Earth without giving back, a practice she calls extractivism.

She argues that this has harmed both the planet and Indigenous peoples. Simpson's work offers an alternative way of living, one that is based on respect for the land and for all living things. She believes that Indigenous knowledge holds important solutions for today's environmental problems.

Music and Writing

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson shares her ideas through many forms of art, including music, poetry, and stories. Her work often blends English with her native language, Nishnaabemowin.

Books for All Ages

• Dancing on Our Turtle's Back (2011): In this book, Simpson explains her ideas about Indigenous resurgence. She argues that true "reconciliation" (making things right between Indigenous peoples and Canada) must be led by Indigenous communities themselves.
• The Gift Is in the Making (2013): This is a collection of traditional Nishnaabeg stories that Simpson rewrote for young readers. The stories teach important values and lessons in a way that connects with modern life.
• Islands of Decolonial Love (2013): This book is a mix of stories and songs. It explores love and strength in Indigenous communities and challenges sad stereotypes about Native peoples.
• This Accident of Being Lost (2017): This collection of stories and songs shows the humor and joy in Indigenous life. Simpson wrote it especially for Indigenous women, so they could see their own experiences reflected in literature.
• As We Have Always Done (2017): Here, Simpson explains how Indigenous freedom can be achieved through radical resistance. She argues for an education system based on land and Nishnaabeg knowledge.
• Noopiming (2020): This novel uses a mix of poetry and prose to tell a story of healing. It was shortlisted for the Governor General's Literary Award, one of Canada's top book prizes.

Music Albums

Simpson is also a talented musician who turns her stories and poems into songs.

• f(l)ight (2016): This album combines spoken-word poetry with music. The title is a play on the words "fight" and "light," representing both the struggle for Indigenous rights and the beauty of Nishnaabeg culture.
• Theory of Ice (2021): This album was created with other musicians, including her sister Ansley Simpson. It was shortlisted for the 2021 Polaris Music Prize, a major award for Canadian music.

Awards and Recognition

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson has received many awards for her work.

• In 2014, she won the RBC Taylor Emerging Writer Award.
• Her book As We Have Always Done was named the best book of 2017 by the Native American Indigenous Studies Association.
• Her novel Noopiming was a finalist for the Governor General's Award in 2020.
• Her album Theory of Ice was a finalist for the 2021 Polaris Music Prize.
• She won the Willie Dunn Award from the Prism Prize for her trailblazing work in music and film.