QWF’s Writers in the Community program pairs small groups of young people with a professional writer or literary performance artist who can teach them and, more importantly, motivate them, to use language to express themselves in productive ways. In each project, a writer-facilitator works with a small group for 10 weeks, teaching them language tools, giving them writing prompts, and ultimately, boosting their self-confidence by showing them that they are capable of producing literary work of value.
Recent projects
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Meet the writer-facilitators
Nadine Neema
Born in Montreal to Egyptian/Lebanese parents, Nadine Neema is an award-winning multi-disciplinary artist with 15+ years of experience. She has four albums of songs and spoken word poetry. She has toured internationally opening for artists such as Joe Cocker & Elton John and was mentored by Leonard Cohen, who co-produced her second album. She leads creativity, songwriting and storytelling workshops to empower youth to find their own voice. Neema recently published a YA historical fiction novel set on the Tłįchǫ ancestral lands in the NWT, which earned a finalist for three awards. She began working in Wekweètì, NWT in 1999, first as a community manager, then assisting with land claims negotiations under Chief Negotiator John B. Zoe. She has maintained a strong bond with the community through workshops, photography projects, and canoe trips.
I feel like writing this poetry really allowed me to look deep into my soul, and find out what kind of person I truely am
young writer
Program sponsors
We would also like to express our gratitude to the following sponsors, without whom the Writers in the Community program would not be possible
