
Journal of a
Travelling Girl
Nadine Neema, illustrations by Archie Beaverho
“Journal of a Travelling Girl deserves to be in every northern classroom. There is so much to learn here, and there is so much to celebrate.”
—Richard Van Camp, Tłcho author
Travelling Girl finalist for two Canadian Children’s Book Centre Awards
The Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) announced the 2021 finalists for eight major awards celebrating Canadian books for young people.
We are happy to announce that Journal of a Travelling Girl has been shortlisted for two CCBC awards: The Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People and the inaugural Jean Little First-Novel Award.
The jury for the Jean Little First-Novel Award had this to say about the book: “Journal of a Travelling Girl gives young readers the chance to imagine themselves on a journey as they read about it through the main character… Neema clearly conveys the modes of teaching afforded by the journey and the community’s Elders, as well as the historic moment the Tlicho Agreement for self-government and land ownership came into effect… The author shares from a place of knowledge, in deep collaboration with the First Nation concerned… This is an important story, not just for those whose lives it touches directly, but for all in Canada.”
The jury for the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction said this about Journal of a Travelling Girl: “A truly engaging story of a young girl’s coming of age as she embarks on a reluctant canoe trip with her friends and their families… Journal of a Travelling Girl takes readers on a culturally enlightening journey filled with adventure and discovery…bringing out the beauty of the North and the Tlicho culture… This book should be in every school library.”
Travelling Girl nominated for the First Nations Communities Read award
We are excited to announce that Journal of a Travelling Girl has been nominated for the First Nations Communities Read award in the YA/adult category. Read more here.
Book Launch
Virtual book launch for Journal of a Travelling Girl in conversation with Tłı̨chǫ cultural leader Tammy Steinwand.
News
- A book deal with Heritage...
- Photography Book for Elde...
- Wekweeti Elder's Retreat
- Neema teams up with Archi...
- We have moved!
- Back to Wekweeti
- Remembering Leonard
- European tour begins next...
- Opening for Macy Gray in ...
- "Songs and Stories" for c...
- Neema at Folk Alliance In...
- Neema's 'For You' ft. Emm...
- Neema returns to Europe/U...
- Finalist at the IAMA Inte...
- God is Alive, Magic is Af...
- Neema at Folk Alliance In...
- Compilation de Neema
- Enchantement au Festival ...
- Neema's show chosen as Ja...
- "For You" Featuring Emmyl...
- Neema at the Montreal Jaz...
- Peformance on Canada AM
- Montreal CD launch of Pai...
- Neema - un voyage en chan...
- New Music Video - Angel U...
- New Album - Painting My W...
- Pledge Music Campaign
Neema Bio
World traveler, former First Nation community manager, mentored by Leonard Cohen, Neema brings a lot of living to the stories she sets to beguiling contemporary folk music. And she’s already attracted plenty of big name attention: backing vocal support from Emmylou Harris; production help from Pierre Marchand and Daryl Johnson; opening slots for Elton John, Jeff Beck, Joe Cocker, Jesse Winchester, Lyle Lovett and Cyndi Lauper, and the aforementioned mentorship of a Canadian legend.
Her third studio album, Painting My Wall Gold was released in 2016. It was recorded while Neema was pregnant with her son, and produced with Daryl Johnson (Daniel Lanois) and Mark Howard (Bob Dylan, The Wailin Jennys). It opens with ‘For You’, Neema’s mettā song inspired by Buddhist meditation and features performance by Emmylou Harris. This song won runner-up in the folk/roots category of the International Acoustic Music Awards. The second song ‘Angel Undercover’ was a finalist in the Canadian Songwriting Competition.
Painting My Wall Gold is a beautiful, sophisticated, globally-infused, and electronically-enhanced album of modern folk music that draws heavily on themes of acceptance and equanimity. Neema’s lyrics, poetic in their ambiguity and sprinkled with visual metaphors and spiritual allusions, transcend the personal triumphs and tragedies that gave them life, evoking instead the raw emotional essence of the situations that inspired them.
Her second album Watching You Think was released in June 2010 and was produced with Leonard Cohen and long-time Sarah McLachlan collaborator Pierre Marchand. The Globe and Mail called it “A stunner.” Cohen also drew a portrait of her as the album’s cover and has said of her “in the midst of all the static, a voice of true feeling arises – a rare event”.
Music

Painting My Wall Gold – NEeMA’s latest studio release produced with Mark Howard and Daryl Johnson, and featuring Emmylou Harris.

Leave the Light On – NEeMA’s first live album recorded during her European tour and Montreal concerts in 2011.

Watching You Think – NEeMA’s 2010 studio release produced in association with Leonard Cohen and Pierre Marchand.

Masì Cho – NEeMA’s debut album. It was released on October 10th, 2006. The title track means Thank You in Tlicho.
Book
Visuals
Videos
Pictures
Error: No connected account.
Please go to the Instagram Feed settings page to connect an account.
NEeMA
World traveler, former First Nation community manager, mentored by Leonard Cohen, Montreal’s Neema brings a lot of living to the stories she sets to beguiling contemporary folk music.