Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan is a middle grade novel that confronts the painful and traumatic history of the Indigenous residential school system. Duncan, a member of the Plains Cree and Taino from Kehewin Cree Nation, addresses not only the horrors of the past, but also the resilience and strength of Indigenous communities who persevered through this painful history and found ways to maintain both their culture and identity. Sharing this history is very personal to Duncan whose father, grandparents, aunts and uncles were all survivors of the residential school system, Sixties Scoop, and Indian Day Schools. Duncan states that she too is a survivor. Continue reading
Violet Duncan
Middle School Reading Ambassadors Present Violet Duncan
Worlds of Words Middle School Reading Ambassadors invite you to meet Violet Duncan, author of Buffalo Dreamer!
From Nancy Paulsen Books:
Summer and her family always spend relaxed summers in Alberta, Canada, on the reservation where her mom’s family lives. But this year is turning out to be an eye-opening one. First, Summer has begun to have vivid dreams in which she’s running away from one of the many real-life residential schools that tore Native children from their families and tried to erase their Native identities. Not long after that, she learns that unmarked children’s graves have been discovered at the school her grandpa attended as a child. Now more folks are speaking up about their harrowing experiences at these places, including her grandfather. Summer cherishes her heritage and is heartbroken about all her grandfather was forced to give up and miss out on. When the town holds a rally, she’s proud to take part to acknowledge the painful past and speak of her hopes for the future, and anxious to find someone who can fill her in on the source of her unsettling dreams.
Violet Duncan is Plains Cree and Taino from Kehewin Cree Nation and an accomplished author, educator, dancer and storyteller. After becoming a mother of four and seeing the need for greater Native representation in literature, Violet has authored three picture books: I Am Native, When We Dance and Let’s Hoop Dance! Her next children’s book, Life is a Dance will arrive in fall 2025. Duncan’s middle school novel, Buffalo Dreamer, is a National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalist.
U of A Campus Store will be on site with copies of Buffalo Dreamer for sale.
This event includes a conversation between Duncan and the Reading Ambassadors, followed by audience questions and a book signing. This event is free and open to the public.
Event details may change.
Ticketed parking is available in the Second St. Garage and metered parking is available on the street/surface level through the Passport Mobile Parking app. Worlds of Words Center is also located just off of the 2nd St. Modern Streetcar stop.
To request disability-related accommodations that would ensure your full participation in this event, please email wow@arizona.edu or call 520.621.9340.
Event details may change. More information to follow.