Michelle Good is an award-winning Cree writer whose work has transformed conversations about Indigenous history, justice, and reconciliation in Canada. Through fiction grounded in compassion and truth, she brings to light stories that have too often gone untold, inviting readers to confront the lasting legacy of the Indian Residential School system while celebrating the resilience of Indigenous communities.

A member of the Red Pheasant Cree Nation in Saskatchewan, Good practiced law for more than twenty-five years, advocating for Indigenous clients and working in support of survivors of residential schools before turning her full attention to writing. Her bestselling debut novel, Five Little Indians, received widespread critical acclaim and won the 2020 Amazon Canada First Novel Award. The novel was also recognized with the HarperCollins/UBC Prize for Best New Fiction and was a finalist for several of Canada’s most prestigious literary honors.

Good’s writing is distinguished by its honesty, humanity, and unwavering commitment to truth. At the San Miguel Writers’ Conference, she brings a powerful perspective on literature’s capacity to illuminate history, inspire healing, and foster meaningful dialogue across cultures and generations.

"The Stories We Carry: Literature, Truth, and Reconciliation"

As the Honourable Murray Sinclair often reminded us, “Education got us into this mess, and education will get us out of it.” In this keynote, Michelle Good explores the role literature plays in deepening our understanding of Canada’s history and the enduring impact of the Indian Residential School system on Indigenous communities.
Drawing on her acclaimed novel Five Little Indians and her own experiences as a writer, lawyer, and advocate, Good reflects on the power of storytelling to challenge long-held narratives, preserve memory, and create space for truth and reconciliation. Through fiction, she invites readers to confront difficult histories with honesty and compassion while recognizing the resilience, dignity, and strength of Indigenous Peoples.
This keynote offers a thoughtful conversation about literature’s unique ability to foster empathy, inspire dialogue, and help shape a more just and understanding future.

Books to feature: Eliza Sunshine; Five Little Indians; Truth Telling: Seven Conversations about Indigenous Life in Canada