Monique Gray Smith
Monique Gray Smith is a proud Mom of teenage twins and an award-winning, best-selling author. Her first published novel, Tilly: A Story of Hope and Resilience won the 2014 Canadian Burt Award for First Nation, Métis and Inuit Literature. Since then, Monique has had 6 books come out, including My Heart Fills with Happiness, which has won numerous awards, as well as Speaking our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation which as a finalist for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. In the fall of 2019, every child in Canada entering grade one will receive a copy of the dual language, English/French and Cree edition of My Heart Fills with Happiness. Monique’s latest release, Tilly and the Crazy Eights is a novel about an epic road trip that Tilly and eight Indigenous Elders take. The story reminds the reader of the power of the human spirit and that love is medicine. In September 2020, Monique has a new picture book coming out called, When We Are Kind with Orca Book Publishers. Monique is Cree, Lakota and Scottish and has been sober and involved in her healing journey for over 28 years. She is well known for her storytelling, spirit of generosity and focus on resilience.