Emilie Corbiere

Readings

I generally sit with my porcupine puppet and read my three aboriginal childrens books and during the readings I ask questions.

Book Sales:

yes

Workshops

For the workshops, I bring in 4 tables of visual displays and speak about First Nations culture for an hour.

Special Equipment:

A CD player

Book Sales:

yes

Biography

Emilie Corbiere is a native from Walpole Island First Nation who currently lives in Tottenham, ON. At the early age of five, Emilie began her journey as a crafter and artist, being taught by her mother the traditional methods of beadwork. Emilie has continued to sew and create wonderful jewellery and regalia for some of the best First Nation dancers across North America. She also supplies many galleries, museums and trading posts with her crafts and jewellery, working with porcupine quills, bone, antler, horn, feathers, deer, moose and rabbit skin and many beads.

Since moving to Tottenham, ON, Emilie has won first place for "Best Fine Craft" at The Streetsville Art Gallery in 2006, has been the featured artist in the Sideroads Magazine, has been featured in Spirit Magazine, an aboriginal publication and has been congratulated by His Honourable James. K. Bartleman, the Lieutenant Governer of Ontario, has appeared on "The Link" an aboriginal television series.

Emilie has recently branched out into the world of writing children's books. Her first book titled "Porcupine's Bad Day" is about a grumpy porcupine who wakes up on the wrong side of the bed and gets angry at all of his forest friends. Her second book titled "Porcupine Goes to the City" is about the same character who makes a wrong turn one foggy night and ends up in the big city where he meets a trio of colourful characters, released October 2009. A third book titled Porc and Beans will be released in the fall of 2010. These books, for ages 5-9 are written in part English and part Ojibwe and it teaches children the value of friendship, co-operation and the environment. Growing up in a household with domestic violence and alcoholism, reading was sometimes the only way to escape and travel somewhere else. She continues to write today and is planning on more books to come.

Emilie is also an avid teacher who travels to schools, libraries and other organizations across Ontario, to deliver a one hour program about First Nations people. She has spoken to over 800 groups and enjoys working with children and adults alike. Emilie and her family travel to many First Nations communities during the year to join them for their annual Powwow. Emilie is also involved with Club Amick and True North Aid, two organizations that deliver books, medical supplies, food and clothes to First Nation communities in northern Ontario that are fly in only. Emilie also stands up for native rights when the time calls, having been a loud voice at the NO HST for First Nations march at Queens Park in 2010.

Emilie continues to sew, write, teach and be an advocate for Aboriginal people across Canada.