Drew Hayden Taylor

Drew Hayden Taylor is an Indigenous Canadian playwright, author, and journalist born in 1962 in Curve Lake, Ontario. Of mixed Ojibwe and white ancestry, he has become one of Canada's most prominent Indigenous writers, known for addressing First Nations themes through various literary forms. Taylor's extensive body of work spans multiple genres, including plays, short stories, essays, newspaper columns, and television scripts. His writing often explores Indigenous identity, cultural intersections, and contemporary First Nations issues, frequently incorporating humor to address serious social topics. As a significant figure in Canadian theater, Taylor served as the artistic director of Native Earth Performing Arts and has taught at the Centre for Indigenous Theatre. His television work includes writing for prominent Canadian series such as The Beachcombers, Street Legal, and North of 60, as well as co-creating the APTN series Mixed Blessings. Taylor has also made his mark in documentary filmmaking, directing works for CBC Television including Searching for Winnetou, Cottagers and Indians, and The Pretendians. His contributions to Canadian culture were recognized when he was appointed to the Ontario Ministry of Culture Advisory Committee in 2004.

Readers appreciate Taylor's ability to blend humor with serious cultural commentary when addressing Indigenous issues. Many reviews mention his accessible writing style that helps non-Indigenous readers understand complex cultural dynamics. Liked: - Clear, conversational tone in both fiction and plays - Effective use of comedy to discuss difficult topics - Balance between entertainment and education - Authentic representation of Indigenous perspectives Disliked: - Some readers found certain works too light in tone for serious subjects - A few mention pacing issues in longer works - Collections of shorter pieces sometimes feel uneven Ratings: Goodreads shows consistent 3.8-4.2/5 ratings across titles "Motorcycles & Sweetgrass" (4.0/5 from 512 ratings) "Me Funny" (3.9/5 from 89 ratings) Amazon reviews average 4.3/5 Notable reader comment: "Taylor has a gift for making Indigenous perspectives accessible without compromising authenticity or depth" - Goodreads reviewer Common praise focuses on his ability to bridge cultural gaps through storytelling while maintaining respect for Indigenous traditions.

The Night Wanderer: A Native Gothic Novel (2007) A vampire story blending Ojibwe traditions with gothic horror, following a teenage girl on a reservation who encounters a mysterious visitor.

The Berlin Blues (2007) A play about German developers attempting to build a Native theme park on a reserve in Ontario.

Motorcycles & Sweetgrass (2010) A novel where a mysterious stranger on a motorcycle arrives in an Anishnawbe community, bringing both charm and chaos.

God and the Indian (2014) A play exploring the confrontation between a residential school survivor and an Anglican Assistant Bishop.

Take Us to Your Chief and Other Stories (2016) A collection of science fiction short stories incorporating First Nations perspectives and themes.

Dead White Writer on the Floor (2011) A satirical play examining Indigenous identity through the lens of six characters who believe they are white writers.

Cerulean Blue (2015) A play about a blues band invited to perform at a First Nations protest site.

Me Funny (2005) An anthology examining Indigenous humor through essays and personal reflections.

Me Artsy (2015) A collection exploring First Nations artistic expression through various contributors' perspectives.

In a World Created by a Drunken God (2006) A play about a half-Native man confronted by his dying white father who abandoned him.

Thomas King His work as a Cherokee-Greek author focuses on Indigenous storytelling and contemporary Native experiences in North America. King's writing style combines humor with cultural commentary, addressing similar themes to Taylor through fiction and non-fiction works.

Richard Wagamese As an Ojibwe author from Ontario, he writes about Indigenous identity and healing through novels and memoirs. His work examines the impact of residential schools and cultural displacement while celebrating Indigenous resilience.

Eden Robinson She writes fiction incorporating Haisla and Heiltsuk traditions with contemporary settings in British Columbia. Robinson's work deals with Indigenous family dynamics and cultural identity through both realistic and supernatural elements.

Tomson Highway His plays and novels draw from Cree mythology and explore Indigenous experiences in urban and rural Canada. Highway's work shares Taylor's use of theater as a medium for Indigenous storytelling and social commentary.

Lee Maracle Her writing as a Sto:lo author addresses Indigenous women's experiences and decolonization through multiple genres. Maracle's work combines traditional storytelling methods with contemporary political and social issues.