Award-winning Cree writer Larry Loyie returned to school at age 55 to fulfill his dream of becoming a writer. Larry draws on his traditional First Nations childhood and extensive knowledge of First Nations cultures for inspiration.

Larry Loyie's children's books reflect his commitment to preserving First Nations cultures. In the fall of 2008, his fourth book Goodbye Buffalo Bay will join his three earlier titles: When the Spirits Dance, As Long as the Rivers Flow and The Gathering Tree.

In 2001, Larry Loyie received a Canada Post Literacy Award for Individual Achievement. He continues to be honoured for his writing and contributions to the understanding of aboriginal cultures.

When the Spirits Dance (Theytus Books) and As Long as the Rivers Flow (Groundwood Books) are based on Larry's traditional Cree childhood.

When the Spirits Dance, set during the Second World War, sensitively explores how war affects a family. It is based on Larry Loyie's childhood experiences. It was shortlisted for the 2007 Anskohk Aboriginal Children's Book of the Year Award.

As Long as the Rivers Flow won the 2003 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction. In 2006, it was named the Honour Book of the Year by the First Nation Communities Read Program as the outstanding First Nations book of the year.

The Gathering Tree (Theytus Books) is a highly regarded, beautifully illustrated children's book encouraging HIV awareness and prevention. It was one of only 11 international literary works chosen for presentation at AIDS 2006, an international conference attended by more than 30,000 delegates.

Both As Long as the Rivers Flow and The Gathering Tree are illustrated by Heather D. Holmlund of Pickering, Ontario (www.hdholmlundarts.com)

NEW IN Fall 2008:

Goodbye Buffalo Bay (for ages 12 and up) will be published in the fall of 2008 by Theytus Books, Canada's leading aboriginal publisher. This new chapter book shares Larry Loyie's dramatic and often humorous adventures during his last year in residential school, followed by his early years as a child worker in Canada's north.

Larry Loyie gives all presentations with editor/writer and partner Constance Brissenden, the author of more than a dozen books on history and travel. Since 1993, the couple has travelled across Canada giving more than 600 talks and writing workshops. They love to share their excitement about writing and culture with learners of all ages.

When the Spirits Dance (Theytus Books, 2006)
As Long as the Rivers Flow (Groundwood Books, 2002)
The Gathering Tree (Theytus Books, 2005)
Goodbye Buffalo Bay (Theytus Books, November 2008)

Larry and Constance have given more than 600 presentations, readings and writing workshops in the past decade. In 2007, they toured the Northwest Territories by invitation of the NWT Literacy Council and were presenters at the Banff-Calgary International Writers Festival.

When the Spirits Dance (Theytus Books) was launched at the Library and Archives Canada, Remembrance Week, 2006. It was shortlisted for the 2007 Anskohk Aboriginal Children's Book of the Year Award.

As Long as the Rivers Flow (Groundwood Books) won the 2003 Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction. It was the 2006 Honour Book of the First Nation Communities Read Program (chosen by First Nations librarians as the outstanding book of the year among First Nations-written books for all ages). As Long as the Rivers Flow was also a finalist for several other awards.

The Gathering Tree (Theytus Books) was one of only 11 literary works chosen for presentation at the 2006 International AIDS Conference in Toronto, with more than 30,000 delegates.