Hélène Devarennes
Categories: Female Authors - Francophone Authors - Authors of Juvenile Fiction; - Authors of Non-Fiction - Southeast
Source: Author / auteure
Biography
Born in Grande-Digue, Hélène Devarennes attended Polyvalente Louis-J.-Robichaud in Shediac, the first Francophone high school in New Brunswick. Hélène has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in environmental studies and a doctorate in education in a First Nations context. In her professional world, she wanders between writing children’s picture books and working with Wabanaki peoples on the road to reconciliation.
How has New Brunswick influenced your work?
Growing up by the sea had a big influence on my writing. Even today, when I need inspiration, I take a long walk along the shore, listening to the waves as if I could hear stories hidden in the surf, waiting for me to find them! The sea fuels my imagination. A child’s imagination is precious, and as a children’s author, one of my goals is to nurture that imagination, to broaden their horizons. It is by the sea, and by exploring the trails of our province’s beautiful provincial and national parks, that my creativity and imagination take flight.
I hold among my deepest values the importance of healthy development for every child, including allowing them to dream with imaginations untethered. Also among my values is the conviction that New Brunswick’s exceptional natural environment must be protected. Finally, I unequivocally believe that we must recognize the First Peoples of this land and the value of the Peace and Friendship Treaties. I am proud to collaborate regularly with the Wabanaki peoples, both in literature and education.
I would also note that I practise cultural humility when interacting with Wabanaki peoples.
What is your favourite New Brunswick book, and why?
Pélagie-la-Charrette (Antonine Maillet)
I studied this book in high school, and for the first time, Acadian history came alive. This book opened a door – since then, I have never stopped reading everything I can find on Acadian history, including archives and old letters.
What do you consider to be the highlight of your career so far?
The highlight of my career has been being invited by the University of Poitiers to present on Indigenous literature (the bilingual or trilingual books I authored or translated, always in collaboration with Elders). As part of the Bruits de langues festival, I led two workshops on the importance of Indigenous literature. I always run these workshops with the permission of the Elders involved in the literary project.
It is important for this colonizing country, our grandparents’ land, to gain a better understanding of the Indigenous reality and the links between the Wabanaki peoples and Acadians. There were several publishing students at the festival seeking to gain a better understanding of Indigenous history.
This trip was a highlight for me because I also visited the home of my Acadian ancestors. It inspired me, and I have been writing a book for adults ever since (more to follow).
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Featured Publication |
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Où tu vas, Emma ? (2021) |
Excerpt: Emma, Emma |
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Find this author in the New Brunswick public libraries catalogue.
Source(s): Author.
