We Hear From Schools

Larry Loyie and Constance Brissenden have given more than 700 presentations at schools, libraries, colleges, universities, writers' festivals, conferences and so on. We love visiting schools and really appreciate the students and teachers we meet. Here is some recent feedback:

FROM CROSSROADS SCHOOL, DEVLIN, ONTARIO:

Thank you so much for visiting our school and sharing your stories and experiences. We truly appreciate your energy and your willingness to visit rural schools.

The children and teachers enjoyed your presentations and the information you shared. They also learned from you.

Sincerely, Donna Kowalski, Acting Principal

FROM ANOTHER GREAT SCHOOL: Sir Isaac Brock PS, Guelph, Ontario:
 After our presentation on residential schools

Hi Constance and Larry,

Here are some quotes & reflections from our students about your visit.

They are genuine, and haven't been "polished" in any way. Both myself and the students have learned a lot from your experiences.

Thanks again,

Sean. (Sean Cameron, Grade 6 teacher, Sir Isaac Brock PS, Guelph, ON)

Here is what the students wrote (no editing):

Larry Loyie,

we really liked how you explained your childhood and how you wrote a book about it.
Sarah & Annemieke


To: lary
From: Scott and Nicholas
We liked your books and presentation when you came to S.I.B.
We liked when you didn't just talk about your books you talked much about your childhood.



To: Larry Loyie
The book you wrote Where Thr Riverss Flow, is a really well written book. I loved it and all the detail you put in it. It was a really good book, I loved it so much. Thanks for coming in and talking to us about your childhood and how you were taken to residential schooling.
Brock.

Larry,
In the book as long as the river flows I thought you were very brave going through what you were forced to do. If that was me I would not have been as brave as you because I can't imagine what it would be like. I'm really impressed you took control of your life and became a writer after what the government did to you. You have taught me a lot in this book and I think you r doing a great job with it.
Kali.


Larry,
If I were in your shoes I would feel horrible if I were taken away from the ones I love.If I was taken away from the ones I love like my mom and dad,I would cry every single day.Your parents would have made the right choice because if they went to jail ,you would have nowhere to go so they would just send you to the school. It would be really hard to not speak my very own language ,but I would try hard not to so that I would not get beat up.It would also be really hard not to give a dirty look in the picture.I would be really upset if I were in your shoes.

Amy.

Larry's visit was very informing and a great learning experience. It really opened my eyes to the past. I was amazed that Larry was able to keep calm about something so tragic almost being tears myself, just hearing some thing so heart felt like it. It made me realize that even our wonderful country has had many flaws in the past.

Katie.

FROM SWAN HILLS SCHOOL, Division 1-K-3 – Thank You Address

Thank you for letting us enjoy your stories and for sharing your life with us. We liked when your grandma shot the biggest grizzly bear. We learned that you speak a different language. We also learned that you had difference medicine than us. You used plants and rat roots for medicine. We liked how you used tobacco to than the earth for making plants. We enjoyed the pictures in your story. Thank you for your book.

 Note that Larry and Constance also received a huge package of feedback and art from the students of the Swan Hills School. You students are wonderful!

ANOTHER MEMORABLE EMAIL: Independent Studies Program (adults)

I am a volunteer literacy tutor in the Independent Studies program for adults with developmental disabilities at Frontier College in Toronto.

This year our book club students chose to read As Long as the Rivers Flow. It was a challenging read for them but your words are so poignant and so well represented in the beautiful illustrations that I think the students were truly moved by your story. I certainly was.

Thank you for sharing this very important story. If ever you are in Toronto, you will be a welcome guest at Frontier College.

The Best Way to Get Published

The Best Way to Get Published

By Larry Loyie and Constance Brissenden
www.firstnationswriter.com
livingtradition@telus.net

The best way to get published is to do your research.

Find out where writing like yours is published. When you start out, aim to get your writing published somewhere, somehow. I (Larry Loyie) started in the Carnegie Community Centre’s newsletter in Vancouver and in college newsletters which picked up on my early writing. It's also good to find a writers’ group where you can share your writing, and read it out loud.

Constance started writing professionally after she spent ten years working in Canadian theatre. It proves there are many approaches to your writing goals, at many stages in life.

Write, write, write! Read your work aloud to people whenever possible. It helps to see where you can improve it. Also, read, read, read. That way you'll know good and bad writing, and your own writing will improve.

There are many legitimate Canadian short story or poetry contests. They may cost a few dollars to enter. They are good because they make you shape your work and give you a deadline for tackling your goals.

Make sure the competition is legitimate.

Watch out! Some poetry contests are not legitimate. They will accept any poem and publish it in a “poetry anthology.” You must pay a hefty price to buy a copy of the book that includes your poem. This is how these publishers make money at your expense.

Self-publishing: You can publish your own book and pay the publishing costs. It’s up to you to sell the copies and all the profits are yours. You can usually publish your book faster this way.

Canadian publishers:

Depending on what you want to write and your desired audience (readers), check the internet and learn more about the many Canadian publishers. Go to the library and bookstore to see what books they publish.

For first time authors, we recommend you submit your completed book (known as the “manuscript”) to a publisher. Some publishers only require the first three chapters and a chapter-by-chapter outline. If you are a well-known author or noted expert on a subject, the publisher may only require a “book proposal.” Look on the publisher's website to see what they require.

There are books available (check with the library) on how to write a book proposal.

When your manuscript is accepted for publication, the publisher pays the cost of printing and distributing the book. You will be assigned an editor to help you polish your manuscript before publication.

You will receive a royalty for every book sold, usually around 10 to 12 per cent of the selling price of the book. Authors receive an advance on their future royalties when they sign their contract. This can range from a token amount to something sizable. Either way, it is an advance against future sales. You will not receive any more money until your book sells enough copies to outstrip your advance.

Once you are published: However you get published, be prepared to work hard to make your book known and sell copies. Canadian publishers can’t afford to do much to promote your book. It will be written up in their annual catalogues and on their website. They may take out an ad for your book. The publisher may offer some money for a book launch or to travel to a conference.

Constance always says, “We travel 200 kilometres to sell one book.” That’s how sales of my books have climbed to more than 35,000 copies. From our experience, it’s really up to you to make the book known.

Copyright Info: It’s easy to copyright your material. Please don’t send anything out without this simple copyright formula on the document. You don’t have to do more than this. It is internationally recognized and respected:

c 2009 Larry Loyie

1. copyright symbol “c” -- in a circle
2. the present year
3. your name

We wish you all the best in your writing. Publishing is not everything. Getting your story down and sharing it with others is what it is all about. There are many ways to accomplish this goal!

Never Give Up Your Goals: Larry Loyie’s story as an adult learner (published by Canadian Commission for UNESCO)

Celebrating International Adult Learners’ Week 2009

Never Give Up Your Goals: Larry Loyie’s story as an adult learner, published in The Power of Learning, a Canadian Commission for UNESCO publication celebrating International Adult Learners’ Week 2009, March 2-8. www.unesco.ca/en/activity/education/adultlearners.aspx

First Nations writer Larry Loyie (Cree name: Oskiniko/Young Man) was 55 years old when he went to Vancouver’s Carnegie Learning Centre to fulfill his dream of becoming a writer. He is now the award-winning author of four children’s books, with two more in the works. His website is: www.firstnationswrwiter.com

Never Give Up Your Goals

I clearly remember my first day at the Carnegie Learning Centre in Vancouver. It was early spring of 1988. I was uncertain, nervous and scared, having committed myself to upgrading my literacy skills. I knew there was no turning back.

Since I was 12 years old, my dream was to be a writer. I was one of many First Nations children who went to residential school. The level of learning was very low. Working as a labourer to support my family, I didn’t know the skills needed to be a writer. In my mid-fifties, I found myself disabled. I thought, ‘This is my chance.’ All my efforts went into learning English and grammar. I taught myself to type and upgraded my reading, math, science and health skills. The free writing classes at Carnegie made it possible to replace the drudgery of daily life with the excitement of change and personal growth.

At Carnegie, I could trust and be comfortable with the instructors. They were encouraging and honest. I was treated as an equal. They erased the fear and shame of me being an older person going back to school. Without realizing it, I learned leadership skills, to be more assertive and speak up at meetings. I went from being invisible to being very visible.

In 1994, I wrote a play, Ora Pro Nobis, Pray for Us, about my residential school years. To complete one scene, where the nun berates us and belittles our families, I went to a medicine wheel to find the strength to write the ugly things she said. I cried many times but I got it down. With my partner Constance Brissenden as director, the play was staged in three provinces.

In 2001, I received the Canada Post [Community] Literacy Award for Individual Achievement (B.C.). My first children’s book, As Long as the Rivers Flow, an award-winner, is about the traditional life I loved before residential school. Two more books about my childhood followed: When the Spirits Dance (set during the Second World War) and Goodbye Buffalo Bay about my last year in residential school and moving on as a child worker. I also wrote The Gathering Tree, a children’s book that introduces HIV awareness and prevention.

My goal is to continue building on the knowledge of traditional First Nations lifestyle through my writing and to encourage pride in our cultures. To other learners, I say: “Never give up your goals. They are attainable.”

Background: You can find out more about Larry Loyie and his writing at www.firstnationswriter.com

Larry Loyie served on the committee that established the National Indigenous Literacy Association (NILA). NILA works to increase awareness about Aboriginal literacy issues in Canada and the benefits to learners, the community and the economy of increased literacy levels. For more information, got to www.nila.ca

The Carnegie Learning Centre is located in the Carnegie Community Centre in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Learning programs are provided in cooperation with Capilano University, and tutoring services are also provided by volunteers. The centre if funded by the City of Vancouver. For more information, go to http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/carnegiecentre/

For more information about Capilano University, go to www.capilanou.ca/home.html