In a city, you wear your anonymity like a childhood sweater. We are all theoretical, without sin, mute yet plenipotentiary, emerging into the rush-hour light with undeclared purpose.
Writing
The columnist versus the commons
If the revolution ever arrives, it is probable that the talking heads and the spokespersons and the pundits will be rounded up and shot, by way of reply to all of these one-way conversations.
An iBook, Now in its 2nd Edition! “Residential Schools: With the Words and Images of Survivors”
In 2016, Residential Schools: With the Words and Images of Survivors won the Golden Oak Award. Now in its 2nd Edition, this comprehensive history of Canada’s Indian Residential School System is also available on iTunes as a deluxe Apple iBook…. Read More ›
The Ottawa Book Awards and new work from Chelsea Vowel
I’ve been working away these past months at the 2016 Ottawa Book Awards reading list. One of three jurors in the non-fiction category, I drew up my list of finalists this past week, along with my colleagues. I’m pleased to say… Read More ›
Larry Loyie, 1933–2016
I learned today that my friend and co-author, Larry Loyie, is gone. Larry’s Cree name was Young Man. It was fitting. He had a gentle, even light spirit, despite all he’d been through. Somehow he never lost touch with the… Read More ›
Uncle Al
HE WAS, quite simply, one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever known.
The Cree should have a flip-chart easel ceremony. No, just kidding.
THERE’S AN EASY WAY to tell you’ve been spending too much time with the Cree, and it’s this: When you find yourself saying, “No, just kidding” every time you are just kidding. As in, “Three guys walk into a bar…. Read More ›
Business writing on LinkedIn, The Pulse, by me!
WHEN I AM not mesmerizing the masses with my work here at waynekspear.com, I’m being all S-M-R-T and business-like over at The Pulse, LinkedIn’s blog for professionals. Writing about your topic of expertise for high-powered business people is the most… Read More ›
Residential Schools: reviewers recommend my latest book
Above, l. to r., authors Wayne K. Spear, Constance Brissenden, and Larry Loyie, and Jeff Burnham, President, GoodMinds & Indigenous Education Press Lovely reviews are arriving daily of my latest book, Residential Schools, co-authored with Larry Loyie and editor Constance… Read More ›
Yes, it’s true. I have a new website.
I wasn’t going to announce this until it was official, but what the heck. I have a new business-oriented website. There. Now it’s out. Actually, this has been some time in the making. You see, I’ve been thinking a lot… Read More ›
Is one of these your perfect journal?
Yes, it’s true: I have a lot of blank books DOZENS OF THEM, tucked away in a drawer, waiting to be filled with the URLs of websites I’ve discovered, lists of books to read, ideas, things overheard on the subway,… Read More ›
I’m tired of being a crappy blogger, and here’s what I’m doing about it
If you are a blogger, the odds are you have been going through the same experience as me. If that’s the case, keep reading. There is good news and hope at the end IF YOU’RE A REGULAR VISITOR, you’ll have… Read More ›
Some tips for keeping warm in interstellar space. I mean, Canada.
IF YOU LIVE in Canada, or northern USA, you know how nasty Winter can be. Also, if you live on the moon or in interstellar space, where I hear it gets almost as cold as Winnipeg. Like me, every Winter… Read More ›
Make anything funny with this one simple trick
LAST MONTH my family went on a mission. It was my son’s idea, and it went like this: from a hat each one of us picked the name of a family member and went to the local department store with… Read More ›
11 teeny-tiny, totally do-able things that are great for your life
WHAT IF I SAID you can change your life for the better, and that all you’ll need is a gazillion dollars, a whackload of planning, and years of back-breaking effort? “That’s not very helpful or surprising,” you’d say. Most of… Read More ›
