Métis author Joseph Boyden was in Saskatoon on Wednesday as part of the University of Saskatchewan’s Aboriginal Achievement Week.
Boyden is one of Canada’s up and coming writers with two novels under his belt and another on the way.
However, things weren’t always so rosy and in his discussion to students the Canadian writer chose to talk about a teenage suicide attempt – something he says is a dark thing a number of young people go through but should not shy away from talking about.
The Canadian author says unfortunately many young Aboriginal people have become disconnected from their history and culture and this can create some pretty dark times.
Boyden also says he has been fascinated by the Idle No More movement which started in Saskatoon.
He says he sees a new sense of confidence amongst Indigenous young people which he finds inspiring.
The Canadian writer is the author of Three Day Road and Through Black Spruce.
Boyden’s next book Orenda will be released this fall.