Violet Duncan

Violet Duncan is Plains Cree and Taino from Kehewin Cree Nation. As an accomplished author, educator, dancer, and storyteller, she has toured both nationally and internationally, sharing her talents and promoting wellness and cultural education across the US, Canada, and Europe.

After becoming a mother of four and seeing the need for greater Native representation in literature, Violet has authored three picture books: I Am Native, When We Dance, and Let’s Hoop Dance! Her next children’s book, Where the Wind Blows will arrive in fall 2026.

Most recently, she released her middle school novel, BUFFALO DREAMER, under Nancy Paulsen’s imprint at Penguin Random House. This exciting work has already received acclaim, making it a FINALIST for the 2024 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature and an American Indian Youth Literature AwardWINNER.

In her current role as Creative Director at Young Warriors, Violet is dedicated to cultivating spaces for Indigenous performance and practices. With training and experience relevant to mental health, she is also well-versed in traditional protocols and community engagement within Indigenous communities. She is now a featured storyteller at many festivals nationally and internationally.