Cree author Darrel J. McLeod spoke several languages, had residences in two countries, and straddled the line between musical composition and the written word. But the Sooke-based Governor General’s Literary Award winner, who died Thursday at the age of 67, following a brief and sudden illness, had a singular voice — no matter the artistic pursuit.
McLeod’s death was confirmed by Corina Eberle of Douglas & MacIntyre, which published his books.
“He was an extraordinary example of compassion, intelligence, curiosity, resilience, and deep humanity,” Ebere said. ”His writing provided encouragement and acknowledgment for readers, in a way that sustained them far beyond his books.”
The celebrated author of Mamaskatch: A Cree Coming of Age (2018), and its sequel, Peyakow: Reclaiming Cree Dignity (2021), covered much ground during his career, working as an educator, writer, chief negotiator of land claims for the federal government, and executive director of education and international affairs with the Assembly of First Nations. He also won raves for his musical output, and spent winters in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, where he performed often with a jazz group.
McLeod was due to participate in the upcoming Victoria Festival of Authors, which has events scheduled for Sept. 21-22 and Oct. 16-20. He was scheduled to read from Peyakow and host a two-day workshop, Going Deep: Memoir Writing from Start to Finish.
Festival producer Laura Trunkey said she’s planning to have another author read from his work on opening night. “His death is a huge loss,” Trunkey said.
His relationship with the festival went back several years. “Darrel has been with the festival for every one of his books. He was really involved. He was a real champion of emerging Indigenous writers, and often recommended writers we should have on our roster.”
The news came as a complete shock to Trunkey, who spoke with McLeod last week.
She said he was “a very generous person” with a great laugh. “He was so kind and thoughtful. Everybody that met Darrel could really feel his warmth. He was such a vibrant man. And he made time for people.”
McLeod and his Victoria band, Mamaskatch Jazz Project, performed Aug. 23 at Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park. Performing near cedar and sequoia trees gave his concert with guitarist Wes Carroll and other band members, a “sacred” feel, McLeod said. “If I do say so myself, this was an amazing concert,” he wrote on Facebook. “I was definitely in ‘the flow.’ ”
He participated in a recent jazz workshop at the University of Victoria, and spoke to Carroll, his music teacher, about feeling inspired by the collaboration. He talked about writing and recording a third album of music, Carroll said. “He wasn’t afraid to combine his passions in unconventional ways.”
McLeod’s talent was multi-layered. He spoke English, French and Spanish, and was studying Cree. He attended the University of British Columbia and received his degree in French literature and education. He spoke at workshops country-wide, on topics ranging from writing to curriculum design at the elementary, secondary and post-secondary levels.
He lived previously in Calgary, Vancouver and Ottawa, and spent his recent years in Sooke. His debut memoir, Mamaskatch, won the Governor General’s Literary Award in the non-fiction category, while his second memoir, Peyakow, was a finalist for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction. A Season in Chezgh’un, his novel published last year, is a finalist at the B.C. and Yukon Book Prizes.
His death will leave a substantial hole in the Greater Victoria arts community, Carroll said. “He was dignified in a such a humble way, it always made everyone feel so comfortable.”
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