shalan joudry is a Mi’kmaw mother, poet, author, playwright, oral storyteller and ecologist. shalan is passionate about bringing oral Mi’kmaw stories to a new generation of listeners, as well as helping other Mi’kmaq find their voice. She is the author of a play and two collections of poetry. shalan lives in her home territory of Kespukwitk (southwest Nova Scotia) with her family in their community of L’sətkuk (Bear River First Nation).