She loved books as a kid. Now she's an author highlighting Indigenous stories, authors and joy
Lindsay Gloade-Raining Bird | for CBC | Posted: October 31, 2023 12:10 PM | Last Updated: October 31, 2023
Lindsay Gloade-Raining Bird on a lifetime of embracing books
A mixed-Cree writer, editor and book-hoarder, Lindsay Gloade-Raining Bird was invited to share her perspective in CBC East Coast "all in" — a monthly CBC newsletter featuring stories and ideas that reflect all the ways we're different on the East Coast.
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I've always been a bookworm. I credit my mom for instilling that love of books in me. She is a voracious reader and a master at doing character voices. Books have always been at the heart of our life.
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I've always been a bookworm. I credit my mom for instilling that love of books in me. She is a voracious reader and a master at doing character voices. Books have always been at the heart of our life.
My mom loves to tell the story of a friend of mine staying for dinner for the first time, looking around at me, my mom, and my brother peacefully eating and reading, and promptly going to the shelf to get a book for herself. Book people have always been my people.
Libraries have always felt like home
My mom would take my brother and I to three libraries in a row most Saturdays—first to Cole Harbour Place or Woodlawn Library, then Alderney Gate Library on the Dartmouth waterfront, and, after an exciting ferry ride, we would finish at the old Spring Garden Library.
I could escape to any number of far-off lands sitting amongst the stacks, books piled around me. But, you can only read the books that are published, and marginalized voices have never reached the audience they deserve.
I could escape to any number of far-off lands sitting amongst the stacks, books piled around me. But, you can only read the books that are published, and marginalized voices have never reached the audience they deserve.
Representation matters
When I was six years old, I moved to Lawrencetown, Nova Scotia. As an enrolled member of the Chippewa-Cree tribe in Montana with mixed-ancestry, the only other Indigenous person I knew growing up, in the land of the Mi'kma'ki, was my own brother.
It wasn't until I met my husband Gerald D. Gloade (a member of Millbrook First Nation) in 2010 that I began to find that sense of community and recognition that had been missing from my life.
Even though I loved reading and got caught up in so many stories, it was hard to not see myself reflected back in the media I consumed. It was harder still when what I did see was only tales of trauma or narratives that featured my people in the past.
Changing the narrative through literature
It wasn't until I met my husband Gerald D. Gloade (a member of Millbrook First Nation) in 2010 that I began to find that sense of community and recognition that had been missing from my life.
Even though I loved reading and got caught up in so many stories, it was hard to not see myself reflected back in the media I consumed. It was harder still when what I did see was only tales of trauma or narratives that featured my people in the past.
Changing the narrative through literature
I got my degree in English and Sociology at Dalhousie University — knowing only that I wanted to study literature, not where it might take me in my career.
Somehow, my love for writing and the written word has buoyed me from job to job—from alt-weekly The Coast, to the Halifax Central Library (as magical as I'd dreamed), and after a six-year break to raise bookworms of my own, a gig hosting the Nimbus podcast Book Me! came calling. A growing audience for my book reviews and the book-loving community on Instagram followed.
Did I know my life would forever revolve around books? I couldn't have known that, but I had hoped.
Now, I have the means and the platform to do what I've always wanted—uplift and highlight Indigenous stories and authors. Not only that, I'll be publishing my first children's book Snow Day with Nimbus Publishing in 2024, who are also dedicated to the same.
Somehow, my love for writing and the written word has buoyed me from job to job—from alt-weekly The Coast, to the Halifax Central Library (as magical as I'd dreamed), and after a six-year break to raise bookworms of my own, a gig hosting the Nimbus podcast Book Me! came calling. A growing audience for my book reviews and the book-loving community on Instagram followed.
Did I know my life would forever revolve around books? I couldn't have known that, but I had hoped.
Now, I have the means and the platform to do what I've always wanted—uplift and highlight Indigenous stories and authors. Not only that, I'll be publishing my first children's book Snow Day with Nimbus Publishing in 2024, who are also dedicated to the same.
In this book I'm working closely with one of my best friends, the incredibly talented artist Ashley Thimot, to capture a mixed-Indigenous family like my own reveling in the pure joy of a snowy day. It's a book I wish I could have owned as a kid — a happy little native girl experiencing the universal wonder of winter fun. I like to think young Lindsay would be proud to finally see herself reflected in a cover looking back, her own name there, all smiles.
All About Lindsay
All About Lindsay
Who or what inspires you and why?
My husband Gerald who works tirelessly for his community Millbrook First Nation, follows his own dreams and supports me to follow mine, while still holding it down at home Dad-ing to the Dad-est degree and taking care of his family.
What do you enjoy most about living on the East Coast?
Never being more than an hour from the ocean.
What is your motto?
You can never have too many books.
My husband Gerald who works tirelessly for his community Millbrook First Nation, follows his own dreams and supports me to follow mine, while still holding it down at home Dad-ing to the Dad-est degree and taking care of his family.
What do you enjoy most about living on the East Coast?
Never being more than an hour from the ocean.
What is your motto?
You can never have too many books.
What is your favourite wintertime activity on the East Coast?
Quiet walks through a snow-laden Victoria Park.
What is your greatest extravagance?
My personal library and the many bookshelves I have to keep buying to contain it.
Who are your favourite writers?
Waubgeshig Rice, Cherie Dimaline, Morgan Talty, Rebecca Roanhorse, Louise Erdrich, Barbara Kingsolver, Richard Van Camp, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Charlotte McConaghy.
Can you share a recent event or experience that gives you hope for positive change?
I recently read the amazing Indigenous dark fiction anthology Never Whistle at Night that is poised to become hugely popular. The stories are innovative and compelling and the collection highlights such talented Indigenous writers from all over. It's inspiring that this book exists, that it's SO GOOD, and that the writers are finding their audience (some are only at the very beginning of their writing careers). I hope the industry continues to seek out and invest in Indigenous stories.
What advice would you give your future self?
Always take the risk, you'll surprise yourself at what you're capable of.
Where can people connect with you?
Please come find me on Instagram at @birdykinsreads where you can see what I'm reading in real time. I'm at 126 books read so far this year! You can also listen to me talk about amazing local books with East Coast authors on the Book Me! Podcast which is available at bookmepodcast.ca or anywhere you get your podcasts.
Lindsay's picks
1. Listen: Waubgeshig Rice releases highly-anticipated "Moon of the Turning Leaves"