David Alexander Robertson (born 12 January 1977) is a Canadian author and public speaker fromWinnipeg, Manitoba. He has published over 25 books across a variety of genres and is a two-time winner of theGovernor General's Literary Award[1] His first novel,The Evolution of Alice, was published in 2014.[2] Robertson is a member of theNorway House Cree Nation.
Robertson's young adult and children's works are widely used in libraries and classrooms across Canada, especially his graphic novels. His works often grapple with hard and violent histories, including theresidential school system in Canada. Robertson's graphic novels include the7 Generations series, theTales From Big Spirit series,[7] andBetty: The Helen Betty Osborne Story, which tells the true story of a young Indigenous woman who was abducted and brutally murdered by four young men in 1971.[8]
Robertson has contributed to several anthologies, includingManitowapow: Aboriginal Writings From the Land of Water andLove Beyond Body, Space, and Time: An LGBT and two-spirit sci-fi anthology.[9] His work has been featured in CV2 andPrairie Fire.[10] He has written articles for theToronto Star,[11]CBC, and Book and Periodical Council's Freedom to Read site.[12]
Robertson is the editorial director of a children's imprint for Penguin Random House Canada.[13] He is writer and host of the Kíwewpodcast.[14]
Mr. Robertson was nominated for fourManitoba Book Awards in 2015, withThe Evolution of Alice winning theJohn Hirsch Award for Most Promising Manitoba Author.[15] Robertson also won the Aboriginal Circle of Educators award for Research/Curriculum development in 2015.[16]The Evolution of Alice was shortlisted for theBurt Award forFirst Nations,Metis, andInuit Literature.[17]
In 2016, Robertson was nominated for theBeatrice Mosionier Award for Aboriginal Writer of the Year and theMcNally Robinson Books for Young People Award.[18] That same year,The Evolution of Alice was selected as the 2016 winner for On the Same Page[19], a joint initiative between theWinnipeg Public Library and theWinnipeg Foundation that encourages all Manitobans to read and discuss the same book. Robertson's graphic novelBetty: The Helen Betty Osborne Story was included on the In the Margins Official List for Nonfiction[20] and was a finalist for the 2016 High Plains Book Award in the Creative Nonfiction category.[21]
In 2017, Robertson won the Manuela Dias Book Design and Illustration Awards/GRAPHIC NOVEL Category forWill I See?, which was illustrated by GMB Chomichuk, with cover design by Relish New Brand Experience. That same year, he won the McNally Robinson Book for Young People Awards (Younger Category) and theGovernor General's Literary Award forWhen We Were Alone, illustrated byJulie Flett, with design by Relish New Brand Experience.When We Were Alone was also a finalist for theTD Canadian Children's Literature Award. Robertson won the 2017Beatrice Mosionier Aboriginal Writer of the Year Award, tied with Trevor Greyeyes.[22]
In 2018, the first book in Robertson'sReckoner series won the McNally Robinson Best Book for Young People Award,[23] the Manitoba Book Awards' Michael Van Rooy Award for Genre Fiction,[24] and the Indigenous Writer of the Year Award at the 2018 High Plains Book Awards.[25]
In 2020,Black Water:Family, Legacy, and Blood Memory won theCarol Shields Winnipeg Book Award at the Manitoba Book Awards.
The Barren Grounds, which is the first book in Robertson'sMisewa Saga, was nominated for theGovernor General's Literary Award in 2021 in the Young People's Literature – Text category.[26] This text was also named one ofKirkus andQuill & Quire's best books of 2020,CBC Books' best middle-grade and young adult books of 2020, and one of Canadian Children's Book News's best books of 2020.[27]The Barren Grounds was also shortlisted for theOntario Library Association'sSilver Birch Award and was aUSBBY and Texas Lone Star selection.
In 2021, Robertson won theWriters' Union of Canada Freedom to Read Award.[28] and Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award at the 2021 Manitoba Book Awards.[29] His podcast, Kíwew, also won the 2021RTDNA Prairie Region Award for Best Podcast.[30]
In 2023, Robertson was honoured with a Doctor of Letters by the University of Manitoba for outstanding contributions in the arts and distinguished achievements.[32]
