Ruby Slipperjack facts for kids

Ruby Slipperjack, also known as Ruby Slipperjack-Farrell, was born in 1952. She is an Ojibwe writer and artist. Her stories and paintings share important traditions and ways of life of the Ojibwe people in northern Ontario. She also explores how modern life has changed their culture. Ruby Slipperjack is a member of the Eabametoong First Nation.

Early Life and Education

Ruby Slipperjack-Farrell grew up learning many traditional ways. She spent her younger years with her father on his trap line near Whitewater Lake. During this time, she learned traditional stories and crafts from her family. These experiences helped her keep alive the rich heritage and beliefs of her people.

Later, her family moved to a community near a railway. Ruby attended a residential school for several years. She then finished high school in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

After high school, Ruby Slipperjack-Farrell continued her education. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History in 1988. The next year, in 1989, she completed a Bachelor of Education degree. In 1993, she earned a Master of Education degree. She then completed her doctoral studies in 2005 at the University of Western Ontario.

Writing and Art

Ruby Slipperjack-Farrell is a talented writer and artist. Her work often reflects the traditional beliefs and heritage of her Ojibwe people. These traditions are a big part of what inspires her writing.

Her first novel, Honour the Sun, tells the story of a young girl. The girl grows up in a small Ojibwe community in northern Ontario. This book received great reviews and is used in many schools.

Ruby Slipperjack-Farrell has written several other novels. These include Silent Words, Weesquachak and the Lost Ones, Little Voice, and Weesquachak and Dog Tracks. She also contributed stories to the "Dear Canada" book series. Her stories appeared in Hoping for Home: Stories of Arrival and A Time for Giving: Ten Tales of Christmas.

Besides writing, Ruby Slipperjack-Farrell is also a skilled visual artist. She is also a certified First Nations hunter. Her art and stories often explore the traditional customs of the Ojibwe. They also look at how modern life affects their culture.

Academic Career

Ruby Slipperjack-Farrell is a respected professor. She is the Chair of the Department of Indigenous Learning. This department is at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario. In her role, she helps students learn about Indigenous cultures and histories.

Awards and Recognition

Ruby Slipperjack-Farrell has received important awards for her work.

Vicky Metcalf Award

She won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People. This award celebrates Canadian writers who create inspiring books for young readers. It shows how much her stories connect with and teach young people.