Basil Johnston is cherished as an esteemed Anishinaabe writer, storyteller, language teacher and scholar. He was born in Wasauking First Nation in 1929, and was a member of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation. Basil wrote fifteen books in English and five in Ojibway.
For his work, Johnston received numerous awards including the Order of Ontario and three honourary doctorates. Basil's accolades include the 2013 Ontario Arts Council Aboriginal Arts Award, the 2007 Anskohk Aboriginal Literary Lifetime Achievement Award, the 2004 Aboriginal Achievement Award for Heritage and Spirituality and the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal.
Basil Johnston was one of the foremost Anishinaabe writers and storytellers, and his comedic stories about life in residential school, Indian School Days, is a classic. Candies is another of his delightful humourous works. In Think Indian, Basil highlights the critical importance of preserving Indigenous language and culture. Basil passed away at Wiarton, Ontario in 2015 at the age of 86.
