Katherena Vermette is a highly accomplished Canadian author, particularly recognized for her work in poetry and fiction. She is of Métis descent, with her roots in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Vermette's writing is deeply personal and political, often drawing from her experiences growing up in Winnipeg's North End.
Vermette's collection of poetry, North End Love Songs, won the Governor General's Literary Award for Poetry in 2013, bringing her significant recognition in the Canadian literary scene. The book is a poignant exploration of the North End neighborhood, its people, and the complex relationships that exist within it.
In addition to her work in poetry, Vermette has also made strides in fiction. Her novel, The Break, was a Canadian bestseller and won multiple awards and nominations. The book delves into the lives of a extended family of Indigenous women living in Winnipeg, and the struggles they face in their daily lives. Vermette's writing is motivated by an activist spirit, particularly on First Nations issues, and she is a member of the Aboriginal Writers Collective of Manitoba.
Vermette's other works include a children's picture book series, The Seven Teachings Stories, published by Portage and Main Press in 2015. She also edited the anthology "xxx ndn: love and lust in ndn country" in 2011. Vermette's work has been published in the literary anthology Manitowapow: Aboriginal Writings from the Land of Water. She currently resides in an old house near the Red River with her family.