Dr. Billy Ray Belcourt

Biography

Billy-Ray Belcourt is an Assistant Professor in the Creative Writing Program at the University of British Columbia, specializing in Indigenous Creative Writing. He is a member of the Driftpile Cree Nation and has made significant contributions to literature, particularly through his poetry and essays. Belcourt earned his PhD in English from the University of Alberta and holds an M.St. in Women's Studies from the University of Oxford. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including the 2018 Griffin Poetry Prize for his debut collection, Wound World, and the 2019 Indspire Award, which recognizes outstanding Indigenous leaders. His subsequent works, NDN Coping Mechanisms: Notes Field and History Brief Body, explore themes of grief, colonial violence, and queerness, garnering recognition as national bestsellers and finalists for prestigious literary awards. His fourth book, Minor Chorus, was published in fall 2022, further establishing his voice in contemporary literature. Belcourt’s work is noted for its rich metaphorical quality and lyricism, reflecting a deep engagement with Indigenous narratives and cultural critique.

Research Interests