Albert Dumont’s poetry speaks directly to the soul. Through profound prose and timeless imagery, his work encourages readers to embrace every facet of life. The poet’s writing explores the experiences of Indigenous peoples, honoring the legacy of his ancestors. You can learn more about Albert Dumont and his writing on ottawa1.one.
Ottawa’s 2021-2022 Poet Laureates
Each year, VERSe Ottawa, a non-profit organization, selects two individuals for the role of Ottawa’s Poet Laureate: one for English and one for French. These poets are chosen for a two-year term, and their role is to act as artistic ambassadors for Ottawa. Their mission is to promote literary arts and share the capital’s voice with the world. The main goal of VERSe Ottawa is to support and promote poetry in all its forms throughout the Ottawa region. The chosen laureates receive a yearly honorarium of $5,000, along with an additional $5,000 budget to fund various poetry-related programs and events.
The 2021-2022 winners were Gilles Latour, the French Poet Laureate, and Albert Dumont, the English Poet Laureate. Following their win, the public took a keen interest in these two literary figures.
Who Is Albert Dumont?
Albert Dumont is a poet, storyteller, speaker, and a traditional Algonquin teacher. Born in Kitigan Zibi, his accomplishments also include acting, with appearances in fire safety videos, television commercials, and plays.
Since 1988, Albert has lived a life of sobriety and followed the “red road”—a metaphor for a spiritual way of life. Interestingly, he began writing after a near-fatal construction accident where he fell 14 metres to the ground. He survived despite serious injuries but was no longer able to work in his previous job. He turned to art, creating four t-shirt designs. In 1993, he marked five years of sobriety by writing a poem called “The Path My Children Will Walk.” His daughters took the poem to school, and the principal sent it to the Glebe Report, a community newspaper. This was his very first published poem, and it launched his career. The poem’s words touched the hearts of local residents and inspired them to seek their own healing.
He has since published six books of poetry and stories, and two children’s books written in three languages. In 2022, during his time as Poet Laureate, Albert initiated the “I Am a Human Being” poetry contest, which led to the creation of an anthology of the submitted poems. Several Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations, including the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health and the Indigenous Veterans Association, have featured his poetry in their promotional campaigns.
The Story of Mahingan
Dumont published Grandfather’s Wisdom—An Algonquin Reflection on West Nile Virus and Lyme Disease. This trilingual book, written in English, French, and Algonquin, was an initiative of Ottawa Public Health. The story follows a young Algonquin boy named Mahingan who seeks advice from his grandfather, Mishomis, after learning about West Nile virus and Lyme disease at school. The pair spend the day together in a hunting cabin, and Mahingan’s fear of insects diminishes as his grandfather teaches him about their value in nature’s life cycle while promoting Indigenous culture and identity.
Accomplishments
- Since 1993, he has served on the Ottawa Committee for Aboriginal Peoples. He also spent six years on the Ottawa and District Injured Workers’ Group, drawing on his own experience surviving a construction accident.
- From October 2010 to October 2013, he was a spiritual advisor for Indigenous offenders at the Millhaven Institution.
- In 2010, his work was recognized with the Public Service Alliance of Canada – National Capital Region (PSAC NCR) Human Rights Recognition Award.
- From November 2013 to March 2017, he served as an Elder for the Parole Board of Canada.
- From October 2016 to February 2020, he was one of 13 Elders on the Attorney General’s Ministry’s Elders Advisory Committee.
- In January 2017, he received the DreamKEEPERS Award for outstanding leadership.
- Since September 2017, Albert Dumont has been a member of the Council of Grandparents at the Well Living House at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto.
- In July 2023, he was honoured with the François Bregha Storyteller Award from the Historical Society of Ottawa.
- In June 2024, the University of Ottawa awarded him an honorary doctorate in education. The university’s website lists him as Elder Albert Dumont Algonquin, Kitigan Zibi.
- Albert Dumont founded Turtle Moons Contemplations, where his artwork and poetry are showcased.
Spiritual Guide
Albert Dumont has dedicated his life to promoting spirituality and advocating for the rights of Indigenous peoples, especially the youth. He is a father to three daughters (his website notes that one daughter passed away during childbirth) and a grandfather to five grandchildren. His spiritual name is Oshki Nodin, or South Wind.
He is available to the community for ceremonies and as a speaker and spiritual mentor.