Julie Flett is a highly acclaimed Cree-Métis author, illustrator, and artist, recognized for her significant contributions to children's literature, particularly those centred on the lives and cultures of Indigenous Canadians. Her work often incorporates bilingual text, using English, Michif, and Cree, serving as an introduction to these languages for English-speaking readers.
Born in Toronto, Ontario, Flett later studied at the Alberta College of Art and Design, Emily Carr University of Art and Design, and earned a Fine Arts degree from Concordia University. Her artistic style often features digital collages, watercolours, and handmade textile patterns inspired by her mother's work, as well as visual motifs from Cree mythology.
Flett's books, which frequently focus on Indigenous children and their family relationships, have garnered numerous awards. These include two Governor General's Awards, the American Indian Library Association Award, and the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award. Notable works she has authored and illustrated include Birdsong and We All Play, and she has also provided illustrations for books by other Indigenous authors such as David A. Robertson's When We Were Alone and On the Trapline, and Richard Van Camp's Little You.
Beyond her literary achievements, Flett is also involved in advocacy work, particularly in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, working with Indigenous youth and community members, and promoting the preservation and sharing of Indigenous languages.
