Michelle Porter is a bestselling historical fiction and memoir author who is best known for her debut work "A Grandmother Begins the Story," which she published in 2023. This book would kickstart her career as an author, and she would go on to pen several other memoirs that would be just as popular as her debut.
Porter is a descendant of a long line of Métis storytellers, and many of her ancestors told stories using music. She continues this tradition by telling stories using the written word. Porter holds degrees in Journalism, Folklore, English, and a PhD in Geography. Her academic research and creative work focus on home, memory, and women’s changing relationships with the land.
Porter's most recent book, "Scratching River," is a memoir that explores the meaning of her Métis heritage through her older brother’s life story. It was published by Wilfrid Laurier Press in April 2022. She has also published a book of creative nonfiction about her great-grandfather, a fiddler from the Red River, called "Approaching Fire," which was shortlisted for the Indigenous Voices Award 2021. Additionally, she has published a book of poetry, "Inquiries," which was shortlisted for the Pat Lowther Memorial Award.
Porter has won numerous awards for her poetry and journalism, and her work has been published in literary journals and magazines across the country. She is currently teaching creative writing and Métis Literature at Memorial University. Porter is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation and she lives in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.