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shalan joudry facts for kids
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shalan joudry
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| Born | 1979 (age 45–46) L’sɨtkuk (Bear River First Nation) |
shalan joudry is a talented Mi'kmaw artist. She is a writer, an oral storyteller, and a director. Shalan also sings and plays drums. She is also an ecologist, which means she studies nature and the environment.
Contents
Shalan's Creative Work
Early Writings and Plays
Shalan Joudry's first book was a collection of poems. It was called Generations Re-merging and came out in 2014. Before that, her poems were in other publications.
In 2018, Shalan's play Elapultiek was performed for the first time. It was shown in Kings County, Nova Scotia. Shalan also acted in the play. Later, Elapultiek went on tour. It was performed in four Indigenous communities in Nova Scotia. A second tour happened in 2019.
Poetry and Environmental Work
For over ten years, Shalan worked as an ecologist. She helped manage programs for animals and plants that were at risk.
Her second book of poems, Waking Ground, was released in 2020. This book was chosen for a special program. It was part of the WT Amplified Voices program. This program helps share the voices of BIPOC writers in Canada. Waking Ground was also nominated for several poetry awards in 2021.
The Play KOQM
In 2021, Shalan's play KOQM had its first performance. It was shown at the King's Theatre in Annapolis Royal. Shalan played all six characters in the show!
KOQM tells a 400-year story. It shares the history of Nova Scotia through the lives of L'nu (Mi'kmaw) women. The play was also performed by other theatres. These included Neptune Theatre and Ship's Company Theatre. KOQM was nominated for Best Production. It won the award for Best New Nova Scotian Play in 2023. In 2024, Shalan toured a special "off-grid" version of KOQM. She performed it in Newfoundland and at the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts.
Recent Projects
In 2023, Shalan Joudry became the artist-in-residence. This was at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21 in Halifax.
Her short film, welima’q, was shown for the first time in 2024. It premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival. This four-minute film was her first. Shalan was both the director and producer for the movie.
Shalan's Published Works
Poetry Books
- Generations Re-merging (Gaspereau Press, 2014)
- Waking Ground (Gaspereau Press, 2020)
Plays Written
- Elapultiek (We Are Looking Towards) (Pottersfield Press, 2019)
- Mi'kmaq Stories: Past and Present (2020, co-created with Catherine Martin and Trevor Gould)
- Koqm (2021)
- Koqm - off grid (2024)
- Winter Moons - off grid (2023)
- Winter Moons musical theatre piece (2024)
Films and TV Shows
- Welima'q (TIFF 2024 and AIFF 2024)
- Women of this Land
- Mi'kma'ki
Awards and Recognition
Shalan Joudry's work has received many nominations and awards.
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
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| 2021 | Atlantic Book Awards | Maxine Tynes Poetry Award | Waking Ground | Nominated | |
| J.M. Abraham Poetry Award | Nominated | ||||
| Indigenous Voices Awards | Published Poetry in English | Nominated | |||
| League of Canadian Poets Awards | Pat Lowther Memorial Award | Nominated | |||
| 2023 | Robert Merrit Awards | Best New Nova Scotian Play | Koqm | Won |
About Shalan's Life
Shalan Joudry comes from L’sɨtkuk (Bear River First Nation). She lives in Kespukwitk (southwest Nova Scotia) with her partner Frank Meuse. Shalan has two children. She is also studying for her PhD at Dalhousie University.