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, Life is a Dance will arrive in fall 2025.

 

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 onto the Longlist for the 2024 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

 

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.

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Some of Violet's accomplishments include holding the “Miss Indian World” title & representing all Indigenous people of North America. In 2013 Music video "Big Hoops" by Nelly Furtado as the Native American Fancy Dancer.