Larry Loyie

Constance and Larry - Book launch at the Peace River Museum 2014

Author, philosopher, gentle Cree man

It is with sincere sadness that we convey the news of Larry Loyie’s passing April 18, 2016.  As staff of the Museum and Archives, we had the pleasure of knowing both Larry and his partner and co-author Constance through book launches of his acclaimed titles and through their visits when they travelled in this part of the northern boreal forest. Often the visits would coincide with travels to our regional schools to share Larry’s stories with the children, which was always a great pleasure of Larry’s.

Larry was born in Slave Lake and spent his childhood living a traditional Cree lifestyle with his family until he was taken to Grouard to the St. Bernard Mission residential school. Through this experience, his education was disrupted and  it was not until he was 50 years old that he returned to school to fulfill his lifelong goal to become an author – and what an expressive author he became.

Together, he and Constance published numerous books about the Aboriginal culture and heritage of northern Alberta. As an author and a speaker, he spoke gently but firmly about the impacts of the world war, the teachings of Elders, the residential school system and the importance of treating everyone with respect. Throughout his writings, his gentle nature, his humour as well as his seriousness, communicated to the reader his strong respect for his Cree culture and heritage and his open mind and optimism for tomorrow.

The last time we saw Larry and Constance was at Donnelly, Alberta at the Société  historique et généalogique de Smoky River where they had come to thank the volunteers at the centre for their help with researching their book Residential Schools - ever acknowledging people who supported them. I believe Larry Loyie’s legacy will be in having sown seeds for a kinder and gentler place for us all to live in.

 

Book Launch with Larry Loyie this Saturday at the Museum

This Saturday, February 8, 2014, from 2 to 4 pm, the Museum is pleased to host Larry Loyie and his partner Constance Brissenden. Larry will be launching his newest book, "The Moon Speaks Cree" which tells the story of a young boy named Lawrence. Throughout the book and throughout the seasons, Lawrence learns many traditional Aboriginal lessons. Our first blog entry about this launch gives a greater view of the book and the author, and can be located here.

Larry and Constance will be bringing copies of all of Larry's books for sale. They are happy to sign copies and answer questions.

The Museum is located at 10302, 99 Street in Peace River. For more information please call the Museum at 780-624-4261.

This event is free. We hope to see everyone there.

Book Launch with author Larry Loyie

The Museum is honoured to host author Larry Loyie for a book launch of his most recent children's book "The Moon Speaks Cree: A Winter Adventure", on February 8, 2014 from 2 - 4 pm.

The Moon Speaks Cree (Theytus, 2013) is a winter adventure, a traditional time of family, learning and imagination, when toboggan dogs were part of everyday life. Based on Larry Loyie's traditional Cree childhood, the story teaches deeper lessons: respect for culture and history, the effect of change on Aboriginal people, and the importance of being good to animals.

Larry Loyie was born in Slave Lake, Alberta. He lived a traditional Cree life until he was nine years old, learning from his elders, many of whom he has written about in his children's books. From the age of nine to 14, Larry Loyie attended St. Bernard Mission residential school in Grouard, Alberta. At 14, he entered the work force, fighting fires, working in an oil camp and a mountain sawmill. At age 55, he returned to school to achieve a lifelong ambition of becoming a writer.

Larry Loyie is an invaluable resource on the history of residential schools in Canada. He is a survivor who has spent many years researching and writing about this hidden chapter in Canadian history. He also visits school classrooms.

Larry Loyie (Cree name: Oskiniko/Young Man) and his partner, writer and editor, Constance Brissenden have worked together since 1993. They created Living Traditions Writers Group to encourage writing within First Nations communities. Visit their website at http://firstnationswriter.com/.

Larry and Constance will bring copies of all their books to the Museum book launch. This is a wonderful opportunity to speak with them and to pick up copies for your family or your classroom.

Author Larry Loyie will join us on Saturday, February 8, 2014 from 2 - 4 pm to launch his new book. 

OTHER TITLES BY LARRY LOYIE        Goodbye Buffalo Bay      
When the Spirits Dance       The Gathering Tree        As Long as the Rivers Flow        Two Plays About Residential School
The Healing, a Memoir for Four Voices        The Wind Cannot Read

Award Winning Authors Visit the Peace Country

On Thursday, April 2nd for our final Storytelling evening until the fall, we were honored by a visit from Larry Loyie and Constance Brissenden, authors of a number of First Nations children's books, including "When the Spirits Dance", "As Long as the Rivers Flow" and his most recent book, "Goodbye Buffalo Bay."




An animated Constance shares a story with some young visitors to the Museum.

This was a wonderful way to end our storytelling series with Billy Joe Laboucan until this fall. The Museum would like to thank Billy Joe for his leadership in these events and also Larry and Constance for the stories they brought with them on Thursday.