Tawhida Tanya Evanson: Author's / Poet's Event

Tawhida Tanya Evanson is a Canadian poet, novelist, artist and Ashiq known for her innovative work blending poetry, orality, music and multimedia.

Born and based in Tiohtià:ke/Montréal, unceded Kanien’kehá:ka territory, Evanson has performed in over a dozen countries at festivals, universities and events. In 2013, she was named Poet of Honour at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and received the Golden Beret Award for her contribution to the genre. Her multimedia work features four audio recordings: ZENSHIP (2016), Language for Gods (2012), the memorists (2008) and Invisible World (2004). Her six short films include the award-winning Almost Forgot my Bones (2004) and the award-winning 2024 full length Afrofuturist concert film CYANO SUN SUITE. As Mother Tongue Media, Evanson also produces interarts events such as ANU (2010-2015) and Sema Space Espace Sema (EST. 2014). 

Evanson’s published poetry collections include Bothism (Ekstasis 2017) and Nouveau Griot (Frontenac House 2018) and her work has been featured in numerous anthologies and literary journals most recently Dervishes of the North (Xavier, University of Toronto), Capilano Review and Fiddlehead. She has also edited editions for ARC Poetry Magazine and Write Bloody North. Her debut novel Book of Wings (Véhicule Press 2021) was one of Quill & Quire’s 2021 Books of the Year; on the 2022 CBC Canada Reads Longlist; and won the 2022 CAM/Blue Metropolis New Contribution Literary Prize. Her French autotranslation Livre des ailes (2023) is fresh from Marchand de feuilles.

Evanson's work explores themes of African diasporic identity, Sufi spirituality and the human condition. She has received acclaim and media attention worldwide for her captivating performances and unique approach to poetry. She is recognized for her role as director of the Banff Centre Spoken Word program and as president of the Quebec Writers' Federation. She is also a member of the avant-jazz band FYEAR and continues to be an influential figure in the spoken word and poetry communities both in Canada and beyond. She moonlights as a whirling dervish.

For more about Tawhida, visit: https://mothertonguemedia.com/