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NWP Radio

The Write Time with Author Joseph Bruchac and Educator Caitlin Johnson

·42 min·4 clips
Joseph Bruchac wrote his novel 'Rez Dogs' by dictating chapters into his iPhone during walks with his dog.
The episode begins with hosts Brian Ripley-Crandall and Tanya introducing 'The Write Time,' a collaboration between children's authors and National Writing Project teachers, celebrating its one-year anniversary. They welcome Joseph Bruchac, an Abenaki author of over 120 books, and Caitlin Johnson, a Turtle Mountain Chippewa educator. Johnson starts with a writing prompt about how stories influence life experiences, sharing her upbringing on a reservation and connection to Bruchac's work. Bruchac responds by discussing his transition from oral storytelling to written text, emphasizing the need to preserve stories for broader audiences while respecting oral traditions. He explains his writing process, including dictating 'Rez Dogs' into his iPhone during walks, as a way to bridge technology and orality. The conversation explores themes of animals as teachers, with Bruchac sharing personal anecdotes about dogs and wildlife. Johnson asks about strategies for encouraging youth storytelling, leading Bruchac to outline his four-step framework using a drum as a metaphor. He also addresses the importance of Indigenous authors in truth-telling and decolonization, citing examples like his book 'The Winter People' as a corrective to non-Native narratives. Johnson shares how Bruchac's books impact her students, including her son's engagement with 'Crazy Horse's Vision.' The discussion touches on challenges like misinterpretation of stories and the role of elders. The episode concludes with a final writing invitation and reflections on the power of storytelling.

As heard by us

A warm look at writing as something spoken, heard, and taught.

NWP Radio spends this hour with author Joseph Bruchac and educator Caitlin Johnson on writing that moves between voice, animals, and the page.

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Why you'd press play

If you like an interview where oral tradition, animals, and an iPhone all meet, press play.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →
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