Norma Dunning facts for kids
Norma Dunning (born in 1959) is an Inuk Canadian writer. She is also an assistant lecturer at the University of Alberta. Norma Dunning is known for her amazing stories and poems.
She has won several important awards for her writing. Her work often shares stories about Inuit culture and history. She helps people learn more about Indigenous experiences through her books.
Early Life and Education
Norma Dunning was born in Quebec. Her mother was of Inuit descent. Because her father was in the Canadian military, her family moved often. She grew up in many different towns across Canada.
Today, Norma Dunning lives in Edmonton, Alberta. She studied at the University of Alberta. In June 2019, she earned her doctoral degree there. Her studies focused on Indigenous Peoples Education.
Her Books and Awards
Norma Dunning has written several popular books. Her first collection of short stories was called Annie Muktuk and Other Stories. In 2018, this book won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award. This award is for the best first collection of short fiction in Canada.
In the same year, she won another award. Her short story "Elipsee" received the Howard O'Hagan Award. This award is from the Writers Guild of Alberta. She was also a finalist for the City of Edmonton Book Award.
In 2020, she published a book of poetry and stories. It was titled Eskimo Pie: A Poetics of Inuit Identity. This book explores what it means to be Inuit.
Award-Winning Stories
Her story collection Tainna (pronounced Da-ee-nna) is very famous. It won the Governor General's Award for English-language fiction in 2021. This is one of Canada's highest literary honors. Tainna was also a finalist for the ReLit Award in 2022.
Poetry and Non-Fiction
Norma Dunning also writes poetry. Her book Akia: The Other Side is a collection of poems. These poems honor Inuit people from the past.
In 2023, she wrote a non-fiction book. It is called Kinauvit?: What’s Your Name? The Eskimo Disc System and a Daughter’s Search for Her Grandmother. This book was a finalist for the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing. It tells an important story about Inuit history.
