Home from Paris

Festival des Ameriques

I stepped off a plan from Beijing and boarded another for Paris.

The "Festival des Ameriques" was the seventh festival Vincenne has hosted for authors from the Americas. Vincennes, in fact all France, has a vested interest in those far off lands that their ancestors were so attracted to and put so much into. Books offer an obvious and natural medium through which the French can scratch that "thirst for knowledge" itch.

I was one of approximately twenty invited Canadian authors. Most of us were francophone but not all were; Margaret Atwood and pictured here, Joseph Boyden.

We were wined and dined in exchange for workshops, debates and lectures. A large tent was erected for our publishers to display our work and for booksellers to do what they do. We were available for signings - daily and usually more than once a day.

One full day was dedicated to youth. I did one workshop for grade elevens and another for grade twelves. I was interviewed in the youth tent where I was asked to tell a story and play my flutes.

And in the midst of it all, my birthday. God Bless Joseph who told our audience it was my birthday and who led them in singing me happy birthday. The only thing missing was family and in life, there is nothing more important than family.

Group hug to you and yours...

China and back...

The Chinese have much in common with the beliefs of Canada's Aboriginal people.

I have just returned from an interesting trip to China where I met with numerous publishing houses that are interested in publishing my books. Les Editions des Plaines is negotiating with several houses, one in particular (one of China's top ten publishing houses) that is interested in packaging two series, one with a focus on my Raven books and one that focuses on governance (Seven Sacred Teachings/The Great Law). In a perfect world, they would have one of the two series in place for their National Book Festival in January at which time they would have me back to present at the University of Beijing.

Politics and religion are two topics that seem to be avoided at all times by all segments of Chinese society. The spirituality of FNMI culture however is acceptable, in fact very appealing to them. Mother Earth, Father Sky, Grandmother Moon and Grandfather son. ...Sweetgrass and Sage...Tobacco and our Dreamcatcher.

They asked many questions about the topics in my work and are clearly excited about the possibility of translating them into Mandarin and making them available to their vast market.

This experience has already greatly enhanced my life (and that of Vicki and Victoria). Pictured here is my publisher Joanne (les Editions des Plaines) and members of her team.

Next week's trip to Paris where I will participate in the Festival des Ameriques might prove to be equally as exciting.

I have always been a storyteller

...I have always told stories...that's why I write.

Thank you Geoff Edwards (streamworks.ca) for this video clip. You have captured my thoughts and my heart:

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=7W9iGiIzGrU

Book fair in China

As we pack for our trip to Beijing, this arrived:

大卫·布沙尔作者简介

One of Canada's all-time best-selling authors and most sought-after public speakers, David Bouchard has presented to hundreds of thousands of educators, parents and students the world over. Through his keynotes and presentations, he champions literacy and promotes Aboriginal culture. A former teacher and principal, Bouchard is an award-winning author of over thirty five best selling books, published in many countries and languages. If You're not from the Prairie is listed on MacLean magazine's list of the Top Twenty Children's books in the history of Canada, having sold over half a million copies.

作为加拿大史上最畅销的作者和最炙手可热的公众演说家之一，大卫·布沙尔先生的作品已被成千上万的教育工作者，家长和世界各地的学生传阅。

通过他的主题演讲和介绍，他推广文学，推动原住民文化的传播。

曾担任学校教师和校长的大卫·布沙尔，出版了超过35本最畅销的书籍并屡获殊荣，他的作品被许多国家被翻译并发表。其中，《如果你不是从草原来的》被麦克林 杂志排名为加拿大历史上前20名少儿读物，销售超过50万册。

David Bouchard's books have won several prestigious awards, among them: Recipient of the Order of Canada for literature in 2009, Canada's highest distinction, the Gold Medal in the Moonbeam Award from I am Raven in 2008, the Bronze Medal in the same Moonbeam Award for Nokum is my Teacher in 2007, the Governor General's Award for The Song Within My Heart in 2004, and many others. 

大卫·布沙尔的书曾多次获得荣誉奖项，其中包括：2009年加拿大勋章文学奖得主；加拿大的最高荣誉；2008年《我是乌鸦》获得月光金牌奖；2007年《Nokum是我的老师》获得月光铜牌奖；2004年《内心之歌》获得总督奖等。

I am Raven 《我是乌鸦》

To discover your totem is to discover yourself. There are as many totems as there are species of birds, beasts or fish. And how not? Are we not all different?  I am Raven is an Aboriginal Legend on totems. 

探索图腾如同探索自我。世间万物有不同的图腾：鸟，兽，鱼, 诸如此类，我们到底不同在哪里？《我是乌鸦》为您讲述原住民关于图腾的传说。

...my thoughts on being Metis

Thank you Geoff Edwards (@streamworks.ca) for a series of mini-video clips he created while visiting me here in Victoria this summer. Geoff is responsible for the sound/video work in a large number of my books. I don't think he had a plan in creating this series...he simply recorded a conversation we were having and...

This is the first:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKfTo27eq4k&list=UUwaT1CSMx_QTZq-En0tZ9iQ

Summer 2014

Victoria turns 16

It's July.

Victoria, Vicki and I have been to and returned from the U.K. Victoria's request for her 16th birthday was a trip to Yorkshire, her favourite spot in the world (keep in mind that she's not been to Pincher Creek). We spent a week in Rose Cottage and countless hours with our cousins Garry, Adam, Lewis and families. The Yorkshire Dales exudes in beauty but it's the history that touches us so deeply. We have our own history in Canada that through my work and passion I have learned to appreciate more than many. But Yorkshire? They live in ancient stone houses. They walk on cobblestones that have seen royalty, famine and wars. The stone walls of the Yorkshire Dales can be seen from outer space. In every aspect, these wall are magical. They are what distinguishes Yorkshire from the rest of the U.K...from Europe for that matter.

We then made our way into the Midlands and Wiltshire. Vicki and I are gardeners (well...Vicki is a gardener and I am her go-pher). We love Britain's endless gardens.

We flew home out of London to our own "not too shabby" piece of heaven (showing here).


Professionally, I have to rest for a busy year that we begin in August where I will launch three new books in Beijing (three of my Aboriginal books are being published in Mandarin). A week after our return from China, we fly to Paris where I will be participating in the Festival des Ameriques. Then...my fall tour...that will be highlighted by the release of The Great Law.

Aboriginal Author David Bouchard Talks To Geoff Edwards About His Inspir...