Writer in Residence
See bottom of page for information about applying for the Writer in Residence program.
Current Writer in Residence - Bev Sellars
Bev Sellars is a former Chief and Councillor of the Xat’sull (Soda Creek) First Nation in Williams Lake, British Columbia. First elected chief of Xat’sull in 1987, a position she held from 1987-1993 and then from 2009-2015. She also worked as a community advisor for the BC Treaty Commission. Ms. Sellars served as the representative for the Secwepemc communities on the Cariboo Chilcotin Justice Inquiry in the early 1990s. Ms. Sellars has spoken out on racism and residential schools and on the environmental and social threats of mineral resources exploitation in her region.
Ms. Sellars is the author of They Called Me Number One, a memoir of her childhood experience in the Indian residential school system and its effects on three generations of women in her family, published in 2013 by Talon Books. The book won the 2014 George Ryga Award for Social Awareness, was shortlisted for the 2014 Hubert Evans Non-Fiction, and was a finalist for the 2014 Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature. Her book, Price Paid: The Fight for First Nations Survival, published in 2016 by Talon Books, looks at the history of Indigenous rights in Canada from an Indigenous perspective. Sellars has a degree in history from the University of Victoria and a law degree from the University of British Columbia. She is currently Chair of First Nations Women Advocating Responsible Mining (FNWARM) and serves as a Senior Advisor to the Indigenous Leadership Initiative (www.ilinationhood.ca).
In the 2017-2018 Residency, Bev Sellars will be focusing on reaching out to the various Indigenous communities of the North Island in an attempt to create stronger dialogue around issues of Reconciliation. In addition she will also be working closely with SD72 to provide opportunities for students to learn more about contemporary Indigenous affairs. The Museum will be hosting various events over the coming months as well, dates to be announced soon. Please note that there will be no one-on-one writer consultations this year.
An Afternoon with Bev Sellars - Saturday January 20, 1pm
This is your chance to come meet the new Haig-Brown Writer in Residence Bev Sellars. Find out more about how she became a writer, and hear excerpts from her books, They Called Me Number One, and Price Paid: The Fight for First Nations Survival.
This is the first of a series of events featuring Bev at the Museum at Campbell River. Keep watching www.crmuseum.ca as future dates are confirmed.
Admission to this event is by donation.
Now Accepting Applications to the Writer in Residence Program
Published authors are being invited to apply for the 2018-2019 Haig-Brown House Writer in Residence position. The residency entails spending the winter months (or a portion thereof) living in the Haig-Brown Heritage House.
The modest four bedroom house reflects the character of writer Roderick Haig-Brown and his wife Ann. Located in a peaceful setting on the banks of the Campbell River on Vancouver Island, it contains a Heritage library and is surrounded by two acres of garden and 17 acres of public parkland.
The Writer’s time will be divided between pursuing personal writing projects and providing literary advice and support to the local community, with writing time favoured on a 60/40 basis (as per Canada Council’s Author Residencies Program guidelines). The writer would also participate in Museum at Campbell River winter programming.
A stipend of up to $2000 per month, depending on available funding, will be provided.
Applications should include:
- A resume or CV (maximum two pages)
- A list of publications
- A sample of work in progress (10 - 20 pages)
- A letter of interest outling:
- Ideas and themes for proposed community programming.
- Reasons why the residency would further your work including an indication of what personal writing project you would be working on during this residency.
- Experience mentoring emerging writers.
- Two letters of reference
- Proof that you have registered through the Canada Council portal.
Forward your application package via email or mail to Ken Blackburn, Museum at Campbell River, Box 70 Stn A, Campbell River, BC V9W 4Z9. Email is: . Application deadline is February 8, 2018.
For further details, click here
Comments from past writers:
“This was an extraordinary residency, and a gift of inspiration. The Haig-Brown house on the Campbell River embodies the spirit of its celebrated owners. The place literally welcomes writers with a warm and quiet embrace. The Museum of Campbell River provided excellent support and carefully respected my writing time. It did an excellent job promoting the residency.”
Andrew Nikiforuk, Writer in Residence 2013-2014
“My residency at the Haig-Brown House has given me much needed time to write again. I've accomplished much more than I thought I might at the start, mostly because of the quiet, creative space that the House seems uniquely designed to provide. I've also made some great contacts in the Campbell River area, in effect expanding my literary community.”
Charlotte Gill, Writer in Residence 2012/2013
“For me the Haig-Brown residency has been a sanctuary away from the distractions that sometimes slow me down as a writer. The house, the river, and the property have been an inspiration on many levels and I have had some of my best writing days here.”
Trevor Herriot, Writer in Residence 2011/2012
Past writers
2004/2005 Don McKay Victoria, B.C.
2005/2006 David Carpenter Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
2006/2007 Myrna Kostash Edmonton, Alberta
2007/2008 Brian Brett Saltspring Island, B.C.
2008/2009 Marjorie Doyle St. John’s, Newfoundland
2009/2010 Harry Thurston Amherst, Nova Scotia
2010/2011 Patricia Robertson Whitehorse, Yukon
2011/2012 Trevor Herriot Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
2012/2013 Charlotte Gill Powell River, B.C.
2013/2014 Andrew Nikiforuk Calgary, Alberta
2014/2015 *David Carpenter Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
2015/2016 Wayne Grady Kingston, Ontario
2016/2017 John Donlan Vancouver, B.C.