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    • Calendar
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  • Blog
  • Books
    • Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold
    • The Thing with Feathers
    • Sunsets in Britt
    • The Writing Spiral
    • Once Upon a Rocking Chair: A Play
    • From the Cottage Porch
  • Mentorship
    • Creativity Spiral Series
    • Classes and Workshops
  • Podcast
  • Poet Laureate
    • Community eChapbooks
    • Weekly Poetry Present
      • Archive of Poets
    • Monthly Poetry Column
    • Poetry for Occasions
    • Poet Laureate Gallery
  • Stories of Place
    • Georgian Bay
    • Michilimackinac
    • Northumberland
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  • Books

    Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold

    December 29, 2022 /
    Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold cover

    This is a story inspired by my own family and my great-Aunt Bernice. She was like a grandmother to me. It was a joy to imagine their lives on the island (a mile from where my parents have a home today). The story is fiction. It’s a way for people of all ages to learn more about a Métis family in Ontario before they hid their identity for protection and to stay together.

    “A treasure map sparks a coastal Canadian Métis eight-year-old’s search for gold in an exuberant, richly detailed novel from a Métis author sharing her family’s fictionalized history…. A sweet historical fiction pick for fans of well-intentioned young protagonists with enlightening Indigenous representation.” Booklist

    “This is a novel for young teens, featuring historical fiction depicting life on this part of Georgian Bay in the early 1900s, and a history of the Indigenous people, the voyageurs and the settlers who came later to these islands. It is also a compelling novel about an adventurous girl who finds that the real gold on Georgian Bay is right where she lives.” Charlotte Stein, ParrySound.com

    “Author Jessica Outram has given us a story with a difference: a book that incorporates many phrases in the Métis language, Michif.” Helen Norrie, Winnipeg Free Press

    “An excellent complementary read for indigenous or Canadian history studies. It is a worthwhile and thoughtful read and an admirable way of paying tribute to past generations. Highly Recommended.” Canadian Review of Materials

    “As a story, it will interest readers of all ages, moving deftly between the warm family scenes, industries across the water, and the dangerous storms of Georgian Bay.” Historical Novel Society

    “Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold is an amusing and informative story that serves both to entertain and educate the reader. It would be a positive addition to any home or school library.” Anishinabek News

    Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold is now available in hardcover as a Junior Library Guild selection.

    Follow me on social media to learn more about some of the people and places who inspired the book.


    Brave Bernice is ready for an adventure!

    It’s the summer of 1914. Eight-year-old Bernice lives with her family in a lighthouse on Georgian Bay. One day Bernice wakes up to find a stranger named Tom Thomson sleeping in their living room. When she overhears him talk about gold on a nearby island, Bernice is determined to find it. Inspired by her beloved Mémère’s stories of their Métis family’s adventures and hardships, Bernice takes the treasure map the stranger left behind and sets out in a rowboat with nothing more than her two dogs for company and the dream of changing her family’s fortunes forever.

    Click here to Order Now!

    Product Information: Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold

    • Release: May 16, 2023
    • Second Story Press
    • $12.95 Paperback
    • 190 Pages
    • 5.25″ x 7.5″
    • Children’s Fiction
    • Ages 9-12 / Grades 4-7
    • ISBN: 9781772603187
    Read More

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    Sunsets in Britt: A Georgian Bay Tradition

    October 17, 2021

    The Writing Spiral by Jessica Outram

    September 4, 2021

    From the Cottage Porch: An Anthology About Cottage Life in Ontario

    March 18, 2021
  • Books

    Sunsets in Britt: A Georgian Bay Tradition

    October 17, 2021 /

    Jessica Outram is a Métis writer and educator with roots in the Georgian Bay Métis Community. She is the 4th Poet Laureate of Cobourg, Ontario. For decades she has captured Georgian Bay summer sunsets with her camera. This project is for family and friends who share her love of sunsets. Anyone is welcome to purchase a book.

    • Primary Category: Arts & Photography Books
    • Project Option: Standard Landscape, 10×8 in, 25×20 cm
      # of Pages: 24
    • ISBN
      • Hardcover, Dust Jacket: 9781006416453
    • Published by Sunshine in a Jar Press
      • Using a print on demand service: Blurb. Since hundreds of copies were not printed, the cost per book is higher than hoped.
    • Limited Edition.
    • $55.00 plus tax and delivery

    If you know Jessica or live nearby, you can also purchase books directly from Jessica to avoid shipping costs (paying by cash or etransfer: $55 plus GST/HST $7.15 = $62.15).

    Sunsets in Britt is also available at Let’s Talk Books in Cobourg.

    To order online now with delivery click here.

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Once Upon a Rocking Chair: A Play in Two Acts

    April 29, 2017

    The Writing Spiral by Jessica Outram

    September 4, 2021

    From the Cottage Porch: An Anthology About Cottage Life in Ontario

    March 18, 2021
  • Georgian Bay

    Gereaux Island Lighthouse Gallery

    July 31, 2018 /

    Photo collection of Gereaux Island Lighthouse, near Britt/Byng Inlet, Ontario. My grandfather grew up in this lighthouse.

    Click here to read more about its history. 

    • August 2006
    • August 2015
    • August 2015
    • August 2015
    • July 2018
    • Late 1800s/Early 1900s. Family photo.
    • July 2019
    • July 2019
    Read More

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    Autumn Leaves on Georgian Bay

    October 14, 2019

    More About Gereaux Island Lighthouse

    September 8, 2019

    Dad Finds a Peavey Log Roller

    October 25, 2017
  • Georgian Bay

    Parry Sound Fire 33: July 2018

    July 30, 2018 /

    There are much more interesting photos out there of the fire. It is a sad news story that I can’t stop following this summer. Each time we went out in the boat, we could see smoke rising up out of the bush. It’s heartbreaking to imagine the landscape I love so much in flames.

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Living in a Lighthouse

    March 11, 2012

    Georgian Bay Sunset Cruise in August

    August 11, 2015

    Family Picnic Magic

    November 4, 2017
  • Georgian Bay

    Family Picnic Magic

    November 4, 2017 /

    Georgian Bay: July, 1988.  The clouds feather high in the cobalt sky.  When Evergreen floats near the shore, I climb out the nose and jump to the rock holding the rope. My feet splash into the water.  I stumble.  My cousin Michael laughs.

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    Family History in Britt, Ontario

    March 16, 2019

    Seeking the Story of Grandpa’s Clock

    January 16, 2012

    Lighthouse Keeper Louis Lamondin

    December 27, 2013
  • Georgian Bay

    Dad Finds a Peavey Log Roller

    October 25, 2017 /

    When Dad was dragging his kayak away from the shore to store it at the end of the summer his foot twisted a bit on this rusty old metal piece hidden below some juniper branches. He said:

    Read More

    You May Also Like

    To Stand on the Family Rock

    October 20, 2020

    Southeastern Georgian Bay Landscape Photos

    September 8, 2021

    Thanksgiving Tradition: Hike in the Bush on Georgian Bay

    October 9, 2017
  • Georgian Bay

    Thanksgiving Tradition: Hike in the Bush on Georgian Bay

    October 9, 2017 /

    Some people might call it the woods, but our family has always called it the bush.  Rolling granite, moss, and long grasses topped with juniper bushes, birches, maples, and pines extend for many kilometres from my parents’ place across Crown land.

    Read More

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    Lighthouse Keeper Louis Lamondin

    December 27, 2013

    Family Recipe: Mom and Her Homemade Butter Tarts

    August 10, 2015

    To Stand on the Family Rock

    October 20, 2020
12

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jessicaoutram

This is my Métis grandfather's baptismal certific This is my Métis grandfather's baptismal certificate. He went through life with two names. The church recorded both. Normandin was his Métis name and Lamondin was his French name. His children would be the first generation to have one name: Lamondin. 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold' shares some of this history...

#MétisHistory #BerniceandtheGeorgianBayGold #middlegrade #Fridayreads #novel
This morning I was looking up my book for someone This morning I was looking up my book for someone to see if it is in stock in Peterborough at Chapters (and it is)... and I was delighted to see that it's been selected as a Staff Pick! Thanks for sharing in the excitement with me.
It's nice to have time to write in the early morni It's nice to have time to write in the early mornings. I look out at the garden as the sun rises, sip my coffee, and reflect. I'm working on rewriting some old blog posts with new thoughts, updating one at a time. So much has changed in a few years, and I am grateful.

https://www.jessicaoutram.com/post/time-for-a-change

#5amwritersclub #mondaymotivation #change #amwriting #surrender #writerslife #writingcommunity
Delighted to find red roses growing in the front g Delighted to find red roses growing in the front garden. Any tips for how to care for them?
My great-grandfather (Louis) received this letter My great-grandfather (Louis) received this letter when he became a lighthouse keeper in 1901, including the same salary as his father (Joseph) received. $375 per year. 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold' shares some of the joys and challenges of this life. 

#GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse #FridayReads
Tuesday morning brunch in the backyard. Tuesday morning brunch in the backyard.
Now that I feel more settled into my new home, it' Now that I feel more settled into my new home, it's time to build a new creative life here. Part of my process is to read, write, and reflect. This week I've been thinking about creative energy and how it can bring so much light into our lives. Like any other relationship, it requires time and attention. (Picture of the Otonabee River, steps from my yard.)

https://www.jessicaoutram.com/post/bring-light-into-your-life-through-creative-energy

#creativelife #creativespirit #writerslife #mondaymotivation
This is the painting that inspired the character o This is the painting that inspired the character of Tom Thomson in ‘Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold.’
Delighted by this new review by the Historical Nov Delighted by this new review by the Historical Novel Society of 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold.'

https://historicalnovelsociety.org/reviews/bernice-and-the-georgian-bay-gold/

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse #HistoricalNovel
The day I finished writing 'Bernice and the Georgi The day I finished writing 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold,' I went for a walk. A few blocks from home on the ground was a sewing needle. For those who have read the book, do you think this was a sign? 

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse
One of Bernice and her sister's chores was to go i One of Bernice and her sister's chores was to go into the bushes on the islands of Georgian Bay and fill baskets with blueberries. Their baskets didn't look like this, but they would certainly need to pick this many berries to help feed their family. How long would it take to find and pick this many blueberries in the wild?

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse
In our last episode, we talked about a summer with In our last episode, we talked about a summer with Rilke? How is your summer going? Have you had a chance to read Letters to a Young Poet?

https://thehummingbirdpodcast.com/

#amplifyBTPMPODS #hummingbirdenergy #amwriting #writers #writingcommunity #spirit #poetry #poets #podcast #writingjourney
Each summer we drive past Lamondin Point many time Each summer we drive past Lamondin Point many times (named after my great-Grandpa Louis Lamondin). He inspired the father character in 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold.' He was the lightkeeper for 29 years! His dad, Joseph, piloted the first ship into the Britt harbour. Being on the water among these islands feels like home to me. 

Have you had a chance to read the book yet? Is there something you're curious about?

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse
Moving to a new house means trying new things. Had Moving to a new house means trying new things. Had fun putting this together today. Used a power screwdriver for the first time. I had no idea that they were so easy to use and made small projects like this a breeze!
Here is what it looks like traveling by boat to Ge Here is what it looks like traveling by boat to Gereaux Island Lighthouse (featured in Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold). What a workout it must be to row in these deep waters! 

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse
Bernice and her family (including my grandpa) didn Bernice and her family (including my grandpa) didn't spend many winters at the lighthouse. They stayed in another house in town. Can you imagine how lonely it would be to live at a lighthouse in the winter with everything frozen around you and no boats passing by?

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse
Bernice and her sister make houses out of moss on Bernice and her sister make houses out of moss on the granite of Georgian Bay in 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold.' This is what the moss looks like... How would you make a house with this?

#MiddleGrade #NewBook #TBR #SecondStoryPress #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse
Our family called the tall house 'the house on the Our family called the tall house 'the house on the point.' It's where they lived most of the winters (instead of at the lighthouse). The logging industry impacted everyone at that time. It was one of the biggest logging towns in Canada. Can you imagine paddling here?

#MiddleGrade #TBR #SecondStoryPress #FeministReads #CurrentlyReading #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse #BrittOntario
I grew up hearing stories of the swinging bridge i I grew up hearing stories of the swinging bridge in Britt that stretched across the Still River. For those reading 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold,' this is what it looked like! 
 
#MiddleGrade #TBR #SecondStoryPress #FeministReads #CurrentlyReading #MétisHistory #BerniceAndTheGeorgianBayGold #Adventure #GeorgianBay #GereauxIslandLighthouse #BrittOntario
This beautiful book written by my podcast co-host This beautiful book written by my podcast co-host @catgrahampoet arrived in the mail today! What an accomplishment to have a collection of New & Selected. And, what a stunning cover. Book looks great, feels great to hold. Looking forward to diving in! Congratulations, Catherine!
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Sunshine in a Jar

1 month ago

Sunshine in a Jar
So delighted to see ‘Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold’ included here!New books for Children, Teens and Young Adults, from your favourite bestselling Indigenous authors and illustrators!*Apli' kmuj's Journey (Pre-Order for Sept 25/23). Written and illustrated by Braelyn Cyr, a status member of the Listuguj Mi'kmaq band.*Auntie's Rez Surprise (Pre-Order for Sept 19/23). Author Heather O'Watch is a Nakota and Nehiyaw woman from Okanese First Nation, located in Treaty 4 Territory. The illustrator is Ellie Arscott.*Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior (Pre-Order for Sept 19/23). From New York Times bestselling picture book author Carole Lindstrom and illustrator Bridget George comes Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior, an inspiring picture book biography about indigenous water warriors Autumn Peltier and Josephine Mandamin - with a forward from Autumn Peltier herself.*Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold (2023). Jessica Outram is a citizen of the Métis Nation of Ontario. "A compelling novel about an adventurous girl who finds that the real gold on Georgian Bay is right where she lives." — Parry Sound North Star, June 2023*Maggie Lou, Firefox (Pre-Order for Oct 3/23). Arnolda Dufour Bowes is a Métis writer. She is the author of 20.12 m: A Short Story Collection of a Life Lived as a Road Allowance Métis, which won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award and the High Plains Book Award. Illustrated by Karlene Harvey an illustrator and writer who lives on the unceded and ancestral home territories of the Musqueam, Squamish and Tseil-Waututh people. *Nish: North and South (Pre-Order for Sept 05/23). The first book in Isabelle Picard’s bestselling coming-of-age series about Innu twins, Léon and Éloïse.*Tyowennatyerénhton First Words. Tyowennatyerénhton - First Words is an introductory Kanyen’kéha (Mohawk)/English vocabulary book celebrating the language, land, and culture of the Mohawk people. An audio download is included to support word pronunciation. Gail Brant-Terry (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory) is an educator with over 34 years experience. Dianne Sedore-McCoy is an educator with over 25 years experience.Please visit our online catalogue for more: goodminds.com/collections/2023-new-releases ... See MoreSee Less

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Sunshine in a Jar

1 month ago

Sunshine in a Jar
This is my Métis grandfather's baptismal certificate. He went through life with two names. The church recorded both. Normandin was his Métis name and Lamondin was his French name. His children would be the first generation to have one name: Lamondin. 'Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold' shares some of this history...#MétisHistory #BerniceandtheGeorgianBayGold #middlegrade #Fridayreads #novel ... See MoreSee Less

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