The Author Spotlight Series shines a light on writers creating heartfelt and original work across genres, giving them an opportunity to talk about their books and why they do what they do.
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“Peter Thomas McKay / Galksi De’entkw, B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed., is an Educator from the Nisga’a First Nation along the Nass River Valley in the Northwest Coast region of British Columbia, Canada. Peter is born into the matrilineal fireweed fortress clan among the killer whale crest people. His oral stories have been favorites in his home and in the schools where he works. He grew up hearing his language and cultural stories of his nation and clan through the many check-in visits to elders during his adolescent grooming years with his wolf clan father.”
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I enjoyed writing in my highschool days. It was in my teenage years that I knew I wanted to be a writer.
Do you remember the first thing you ever wrote?
The first thing that i wrote was a series of poems of which a few were submitted to a youth poetry publication back in the 1990’s.
How did you develop your skills?
It’s important to read. Reading has helped me to refine my thoughts and effectively transfer those running and growing thoughts onto paper.
Who are some of your biggest literary influences? Do you have a favourite book/author?
I love reading poetry. My favorite authors are Richard Wagamese & Monique Gray-Smith. I love reading anything that is composed by Indigenous authors. They inspire me to keep my voice.
How would you describe your work?
The work that flows through me are the words from my heart, they have reached that refined space of filtering through my mind to become something of use to follow. I am very aware of what I am leaving behind for others to follow.
What’s your writing process like?
I am a storyteller, I need my rest. I find that early in the morning after a good rest, my thoughts are clear. I feel like my daily life lessons become intertwined with my sleeping thoughts and then, the words appear. I have learned to keep a pen and paper or a recording device close by so that I can capture those waking thoughts of guidance.
Tell us about your most recent book.
Grandmother Mouse arrived when I was preparing my young children for bed. As a parent, I am called to the sacred duty of guiding my little ones upon a pathway of virtuous led growth. Grandmother Mouse, although a supernatural character in traditional Nisga’a stories, arrived to step into the modern day realm. I created what she might be doing when she is not intervening in her intervention encounters with humans who might be in trouble. She arrives in this story to remind us to slow down and enjoy all the blessed moments in our daily walk through the world.
What are you working on now/next?
I have 2 stories on the go, a sequel of Grandmother Mouse interactions that she plays out in her moments of interacting with the human world. One story is a recreation of a traditional story that contains a lesson that Grandmother Mouse shares with her Granddaughters. The other story is about her interaction with children who were taken away to Residential school. I also have had the stories translated into my language for learners to study as they grow with learning our language. I would also love to publish my Masters Degree writings in book format. My MEDL journey focuses upon my residual unfolding from residential school inheritances. I dance about to find enlightenment in my winding journey through the world.