Ivan J White
Ivan J White, Mi’kmaw, hails from the community of Flat Bay, on the west coast of Newfoundland. He holds a Master of Applied Literary Arts from Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus where he discovered a love for the field of Narratology. Ivan currently works at Memorial University’s Office of Indigenous Affairs as Indigenous Education Specialist and is the current Indigenous Storyteller in Residence for NL Public Libraries.
A sharer and connector at heart, Ivan J combines his experience in writing, audio, and communications to facilitate and reveal authentic stories that contribute to Mi’kmaw pride and progress. Most of this work has been in the building of spaces, guidance of others, and platforming of Mi’kmaw and Indigenous People’s voices. He considers writing as one of the most powerful generative arts and Ivan J has worked professionally in multiple fields including; arts administration, event management, education, and journalism, with professional artistic credits in writing, music, teaching, and filmmaking.
“When you condense my practices down – the admin, the filmmaking, the writing, the music, the guidance/teaching, the building of spaces, the platforming of voices – you end up with ‘storyteller’ as the common thread. That’s what I want to do forever, explore storytelling in all of its complexities as part of the human condition.”
Ivan J lives in Shallop Cove, Newfoundland with his wife Crystal and their two children Isabella and Ivan Jacob.
Publications
Downhome Magazine(Sept. 2023)
“In Your Words: the Truth is Past”
Breakwater Books (2021)
Land of Many Shores Stories from a Diverse Newfoundland and Labrador – “In Three Parts” – Anthology Edited by Ainsley Hawthorn
Land of Many Shores Stories from a Diverse Newfoundland and Labrador – “In Three Parts” – Anthology Edited by Ainsley Hawthorn
Canadian Geographic – Indigenous Atlas of Canada (2018)
“My community, my Home”
“My community, my Home”