Picture a Cree storyteller whose words weave resilience and truth into unforgettable tales—meet Michelle Good! A member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation, Good is a lawyer-turned-author whose debut novel, Five Little Indians, shines a light on the haunting legacy of Canada’s residential school system. With a voice that’s both compassionate and unflinching, she’s become a vital force in Canadian literature, inviting readers to confront history through the power of story.
The Making of Michelle Good
Born in 1956 in Kitimat, British Columbia, Michelle Good grew up shaped by her Cree heritage and the stories of her mother, a residential school survivor. Summers on the Red Pheasant reserve in Saskatchewan connected her to her roots, while the 60s Scoop placed her in foster care, fueling her drive for justice. After decades advocating for Indigenous communities, Good earned a law degree in her 40s and an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia, setting the stage for her literary journey.
Michelle Good’s Unforgettable Stories
Good’s debut, Five Little Indians (2020), is a heart-wrenching yet hopeful novel following five residential school survivors navigating trauma in 1970s Vancouver. Its raw authenticity, drawn from Good’s legal work and family history, earned it the Governor General’s Literary Award, Amazon Canada First Novel Award, and CBC’s Canada Reads 2022. Her 2023 essay collection, Truth Telling: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada, dives into colonialism’s impact with clarity and grace, earning a Balsillie Prize finalist nod. Good’s upcoming historical novel, inspired by her great-grandmother’s life from the 1850s to 1950s, promises to blend history with heart. Her style—vivid, character-driven, and rooted in Indigenous perspectives—makes complex truths accessible and deeply human.
Good’s poetry and short stories, published in Canadian anthologies, showcase her versatility, while her memoir contributions, like those in Keetsahnak / Our Missing and Murdered Indigenous Sisters, amplify silenced voices. Each work reflects her commitment to storytelling as education, a nod to Cree traditions of learning through narrative.
Why Michelle Good Matters
Michelle Good’s work transcends fiction, sparking conversations about Canada’s colonial past and Indigenous resilience. Her ability to humanize survivors’ stories has inspired readers to engage with uncomfortable truths, making her a cornerstone of contemporary Indigenous literature. By breaking barriers in publishing, she’s paved the way for new voices, proving stories can heal and educate. Her influence, from courtrooms to bookshelves, is a testament to the power of truth-telling.
- About Michelle Good
- Born: 1956 in Kitimat, British Columbia
- Key Works: Five Little Indians, Truth Telling
- Awards: Governor General’s Literary Award, Canada Reads 2022
- Fun Fact: Good started writing her debut novel as her MFA thesis!
Snag Five Little Indians and dive into Michelle Good’s soul-stirring world of truth and resilience!