“I was this half-breed from northern Saskatchewan — nothing was expected from me except that I fail.” - Harold R. Johnson 

On February 9, 2022, Harold R. Johnson, member of the Montreal Lake Cree Nation, lawyer, and writer, passed away. Born from a Swedish father and a Cree mother, Harold was an important and influential voice for Indigenous writers in Saskatchewan and Canada.    

His pioneering book Firewater: How Alcohol Is Killing My People (and Yours) was a finalist for the Governor General's Literary Award for non-fiction as it examined alcohol and its devasting impact on Indigenous people.  His other book Peace and Good Order shone light on Indigenous Justice and received high acclaim. 

Immerse yourself in his work by borrowing his books at the library (print and electronic formats). Would you prefer listening to him instead of reading? On February 5, Harold was a guest on the CBC Radio show The Next Chapter, this segment has put a spotlight on the author as he spoke about his life and career.  

He passed away at 68 years old from the complications of lung cancer.