About the Authors

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About the Authors

CANDICE JOY OLIVA

(she/they/siya) is an immigrant settler from Bicol, Philippines to Amiskwacîwâskahikan on Treaty 6. Siya hopes these heritage poems will carry her 2022-24 memories with kapwa at the Edmonton Urban Farm— from gardening with the Newcomer Centre, to launching their debut chapbook ISARO. “It is a joyful honour to be known and be loved by kapwa on this land I have grown to love too.” IG: @candicejoyoliva.

CYNTHIA PALMARIA

CYNTHIA PALMARIA migrated from the Philippines to Montreal in 1987. She graduated from University of Waterloo with a Bachelor’s in Science, graduate studies in Leadership in Healthcare, Masters in Intercultural and International Communication at Royal Roads University. Cynthia works as a Faculty for the Radiation Therapy Program at the University of Alberta. She was one of the founding members of Migrante-Alberta, a Filipino organization advocating for the rights and welfare of workers.

DAN LI

(Mrs) Previously taught mathematics at a university in Beijing. She currently works as a software engineer in Calgary. She started writing poetry in February 2024 and states “In my eyes, everything can be a poem. I am grateful for everyone in my life, and everything I encounter.”

EMILY TWOREK

EMILY TWOREK is an Alberta-born creator with a passion for digital media and storytelling. Holding a degree in Animation and Visual Effects, she brings a unique visual perspective to her writing. She draws inspiration from family, friends, and past experience working in the oil and gas industry in Alberta. When not working on animation projects, she enjoys reading, studying languages, and spending time with her husband and two cats.

GOLDWIN (Gold) MCEWEN

a western Canadian author and publisher. Develops professional communications, bilingual children’s picture books, and publishes poetry and short stories. Winner of an IABC Capital Award of Excellence in Communications Skills and Tactics. I’m very excited to be coauthoring a book as well as producing a play for Vancouver’s Fringe this year.

JESUS TIGULO

JESUS TIGULO is a Filipino immigrant, now living in Edmonton with his loving wife of 33 years, a son, and two daughters, all still together under one roof. Jesus has a Bachelor of Arts from the Philippines. In his early years, he was an active participant of youth activism that advocated for social justice and advancement of nationalist movement.

“One’s life can be an endless struggle but with God, nothing is impossible.”

AMY LAU (劉全艷)

AMY LAU (劉全艷) is a retired teacher and freelance writer. Born in Guangzhou, China, she grew up in Macau and Hong Kong. Amy immigrated to Toronto in 1988 and moved to Edmonton in 2001, where she co-founded the Edmonton Chinese Writing Club with Jiani in 2009. Her most recent book, Memories of Old Macau: The Story of My Childhood, was a four-time #1 bestseller in Macau.

AN DONG (安栋)

AN DONG (安栋) is an artist, writer, social media creator, and singer. He landed in Vancouver, BC in 2006. Since moving to Canada, he has enjoyed doing visual arts for almost twenty years. He sees himself as a restless painter, experimenting with different media such as sketching, oil, installation arts, ceramic, sculpture. He enjoys using multiple materials and using his training as an interior designer in China. He wants to do art forever.

CALVIN CHEUNG (張知雋)

CALVIN CHEUNG (張知雋) was born in Hong Kong and immigrated to Edmonton as a small boy in 1989. Working as an environmental scientist by day and moonlighting as a writer and book reviewer by night, Calvin is a Chinese literature enthusiast and runs a bookish account focused on translated Chinese fiction on Instagram at @ADayOnTheTerrace. He is also a member of the Edmonton Chinese Writing Club (ECWC).

CARLY CHIEW (周嘉莉)

CARLY CHIEW (周嘉莉) is a descendent of Chinese immigrant parents. She is currently a Master’s student at the University of Alberta studying Communications. Growing up in the ECBEA program sparked her involvement in the Chinese community, where she now serves as an aspiring leader. Her hope is that she can use her skills, knowledge, and experiences to rewrite and highlight the narratives of marginalized voices.

CATHY SHI (石英)

CATHY SHI (石英) is the President of the Edmonton Chinese Writing Club. She earned her Ph.D. in ESL Teacher Education from the University of Alberta and has over 35 years of experience in English language education. She is dedicated to empowering immigrants to share their stories, preserve their cultural heritage, and contribute to a more inclusive and connected Canadian society through writing, storytelling, and community dialogue.

DANIEL FRIED (傅云博)

DANIEL FRIED (傅云博) is Professor of Classical Chinese Literature and Philosophy, and Chair of the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Alberta. Alongside many scholarly books and articles, he is also the author of The Activist: a Daoist Protest Manual, which examines contemporary social activism through the lens of Daoist philosophy. He lives in Edmonton with his wife Esther and their cat, Tilly.

GEORGE DONG (董守良)

GEORGE DONG (董守良) is a teacher, journalist, writer, and translator. He came to Canada in 1985 for graduate studies in literature, and worked as a journalist for CBC, the BBC, and OMNI TV. He is the author and translator of more than a dozen books, including the historical novel General Two-gun Ma Kun. He is the initiator of Chinese bilingual education in Calgary. In 2022, he received Alberta’s Immigrant Award for his contributions to the province.

GING WEI WONG (黃景煒)

GING WEI WONG (黃景煒) is a descendant of Chinese immigrants. He grew up in one of the last Chinese-owned market gardens that operated until the mid-1970s. His service with the Edmonton Chinese Bilingual Education Association supports our city’s thriving Chinese Bilingual Program. Retired from an aviation-related career, he enjoys researching, writing, and sharing knowledge about how Canada’s Chinese immigration history intertwines with his family’s experience.

GRACE MEIKLE (美恩)

GRACE MEIKLE (美恩) is a writer and scientist from Edmonton, Alberta with lived experience in Japan, Taiwan, China, and India. She has published several short stories and is an active member of the Edmonton Chinese Writing Club and the Edmonton Japanese Community Association. She recently received a literary grant from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts to complete a magical realism novel about the 2011 earthquake in Japan.

IG: @gracemeiklewriter
FB: Grace Meikle

JASON LIU ( 刘永昌 )

JASON LIU ( 刘永昌 ) is an automotive engineer and business owner who has lived in Canada for about thirty years. Driven by a lifelong passion for literature and traditional Chinese culture, his global travels and extensive reading of world classics have shaped his deep appreciation for diverse perspectives. An avid storyteller, Jason continues to document his life journey and cross-cultural experiences through his writing.

JENNIFER RICE (冯春)

JENNIFER RICE (冯春) is a former Edmonton City Councilor and longtime public servant, a tenured full professor of mathematics and Dean at Chongqing Jiaotong University who came to the University of Alberta as a visiting professor. After immigrating in 2008, she worked with Edmonton Public School Board and Government of Alberta, contributing to education, government services, and community development. She is a proud mother and wife, supported by a loving family.

JIA JIA YONG (楊佳佳)

JIA JIA YONG (楊佳佳) is a musician and writer known for her interdisciplinary collaborations that explore the Asian diaspora experience, weaving together storytelling, music, and movement. Jia Jia holds a Master of Library and Information Studies and currently works as the Community Archivist at the City of Edmonton Archives. Her passion is to support the preservation of the stories and heritage of diverse communities in Edmonton.

JOE WU ( 伍 洲 )

JOE WU ( 伍 洲 ) is a retired professor from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Education. He immigrated to Canada almost forty years ago, completed his PhD in Education at the University of Alberta, and worked as an English–Chinese bilingual teacher in Edmonton Public Schools. He then taught in the Faculty of Education, focusing on second language education, until his retirement.

JUNHONG MA (马俊红)

JUNHONG MA (马俊红) is a tea culture researcher and cultural anthropologist. She studied Finance and Chinese literature at Fudan University and earned her PhD in anthropology from the University of Alberta. Her work draws on cross-cultural observation between China and Canada to examine migration, cultural translation, and everyday encounters, with particular attention to tea as a medium for listening, dialogue, and shared understanding. “Go have tea.”

LEILEI CHEN 莫译 (陈蕾蕾)

LEILEI CHEN 莫译 (陈蕾蕾) is the author of Re-orienting China: Travel Writing and Cross-cultural Understanding and i give birth to my body; the Chinese translator of Nationalism: A Very Short Introduction and Margaret Laurence’s short stories; the English translator of MA Hui’s (马辉) poetry, I Have Forsaken Heaven and Earth, but Never Forsaken You.

LI YUZHENG

LI YUZHENG is a member of the China Writers Association and a columnist for the Australian Chinese Literature Network. She formerly served as Editor-in-Chief of Readers: Overseas Elites, a Canadian public platform, and Associate Editor of Dunhuang Literary Magazine. She has published more than ten books. Her video essay Women of the West, released by CCTV, has been widely quoted and recited for many years.

MANNA LIU

MANNA LIU is a Chinese Canadian writer. Her Chinese-language literary collection, A Solo Dance, was published in 2024, followed by her English short story collection, A Solo Dance and Other Stories, in 2025. Her short stories Can I Buy You a Cup of Coffee? and Fare Dodger were selected for The Best Overseas Chinese Short Stories (2025–2026). Her essay The Pain of Memory: A Dark Journey in Poland received the 2025 World Chinese Weekly Essay Award.

MARVIN (MENGYU) CAO

MARVIN (MENGYU) CAO has lived in Canada for the past ten years and works in information technology. Primarily a fiction writer, he also writes creative nonfiction and poetry. His stories and essays have appeared in newspapers and literary magazines in both Chinese and English.

MILA

MILA writer, visual artist, and community organizer. Her children’s books, poems, and personal essays have been published in Canada, USA, the Philippines, and Germany. The diaspora of the global majority is a recurring theme in her writings. She is an avid advocate for human rights and social justice. When I want the truth, I look to art.

IG: @milabongco_author
FB: Mila Bongco

NATHAN IP

NATHAN IP is the Alberta MLA for Edmonton–South West, elected in 2023 after serving three terms as an Edmonton Public Schools trustee. Born in Taiwan, he immigrated to Canada as a child and grew up in Edmonton. He has worked in economic development and youth mental health, and advocates for public education, innovation, and inclusive community development.

OLIVER (オリバア) ROSSIER

OLIVER (オリバア) ROSSIER was born smiling, according to ULI ROSSIER, his Mom. Oliver learned much about resilience from his Dad, ARTHUR, who was raised in an abusive orphanage in Switzerland. Oliver’s career has been in post-secondary administration, where he helps initiatives like: Principles of Resistance: the Gordon Hirabayashi Story; SSH: The Podcast; and Black Youth for Social Innovation (BYSI). According to Uli Rossier: "When you have tulips, you have a kiss!"

PAUL AKIRA FUJISHIGE (ポール 明 藤重)

PAUL AKIRA FUJISHIGE (ポール 明 藤重) was born in Winnipeg and moved to Alberta in 1980. He had a lengthy career in human services in public, private, and education sectors until his retirement in 2017.
Paul is a sansei (3 rd generation Japanese Canadian) and has been exploring his family heritage in Canada and Japan. Paul is Past President of the Edmonton Japanese Community Association. He believes that the best communities are where all citizens are encouraged to contribute their gifts, skills and abilities.

RYAN LACANILAO

RYAN LACANILAO is a sometimes writer (@ooakosiryan), sometimes musician (@thecalamansiclub), and sometimes podcaster (@whatsthetsismis). He is full Kapampangan, born and raised in southern Alberta. He's currently writing a book of letters to his 5-year-old son, recording an EP with The Calamansi Club, and planning the sixth season of CJSR's What's the Tsismis? He agrees with his son that eating animals is super mean.

TING (婷)

TING (婷) found solace and healing in creative arts, and somatic and intuitive movement which became her safe space for self-expression and inner peace. Certified as a Trauma-Informed Yoga teacher and committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Ting believes in Self Care and advocates for authentic, holistic living.

“Nature flows without effort; learn to move like water and find your path.” – Lao Tzu

WILLIAM WANG (王旭)

WILLIAM WANG (王旭) immigrated to Canada in 1990, dedicating 23 years to the City of Edmonton as a Transit Bus Operator and Auxiliary Instructor until retiring in 2024. A highly decorated transit professional, his honors include the 2010 CUTA Outstanding Achievement Award. His creative poetry and artwork have been featured in numerous ETS publications and training materials. In 2025, William published Write the City by Bus, a bilingual collection of poems.

YANJIAN (George) LUO

YANJIAN (George) LUO served as a senior engineer at a design research institute in Shanghai, specializing in the design and consulting of metro systems, urban tunnels, and geotechnical pit engineering. He has published over forty scientific papers and translations in academic journals. Currently, he is a member of the Edmonton Chinese Writers Club (ECWC). He is passionate about exploring new opportunities and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds.

ZHANG TIANLIN (張天麟)

ZHANG TIANLIN (張天麟) worked as a farmer for six years before dedicating himself to university and secondary school physics education and teacher training. He is a senior-level physics teacher. He also studies traditional Chinese culture, martial arts, and qigong, and is a sixth-dan master of Chinese martial arts and a senior instructor. Currently, he is a member of the Edmonton Chinese Writing Club.

KHRYSTYNA ZALUTSKA

KHRYSTYNA ZALUTSKA was born in Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine, and later raised in Canada. She studies politics and English at the University of Alberta, exploring what the academic field has to offer. Khrystyna balances her time coaching skiing, hiking, and studying.

“My passion for literature, politics, and outdoor adventures shapes my perspective on the world.”

LAUNA-RAE LINAKER

LAUNA-RAE LINAKER, PhD candidate, is an educator and researcher exploring care theory, narrative inquiry, and somatic autobiographical inquiry. She holds space for women to journey through somatic and autobiographical inquiry, unravelling deeply embedded narratives and patterns that have shaped their sense of self. Through this process, they awaken to the wisdom of their body and story, realigning with their inherent sovereignty and cultivating an unshakable trust in their own authority.

WAI-LING LENNON (姚慧玲)

WAI-LING LENNON (姚慧玲) moved to Edmonton from Hong Kong in 1983. She was a teacher with Edmonton Public Schools for 25 years. After she retired from teaching, she completed an oral history project with Edmonton Chinese Library Foundation. For the last few years, she has been a member of aiya 哎呀 Collective and took part in various community events related to the revitalization of the Edmonton Chinatown area.

PRAVATIKA RAI TAMANG

PRAVATIKA RAI TAMANG originated from Nepal and came to Edmonton in 2019. She is actively involved in her cultural community and continuously contributes to building strong communities in general by working at Action for Healthy Communities as well as volunteering at the We and the World Centre, International Heritage & Language Association, among other community work.

RONG GUO (国荣)

RONG GUO (国荣) currently teaches at China University of Mining & Technology, Beijing. She translated from English to Chinese Momme Brodersen’s Walter Benjamin: A Biography, J. Hillis Miller’s An Innocent Abroad: Lectures in China, and Ugo Rossi’s Cities in Global Capitalism. Her main interests are postcolonial theories, diasporic studies and overseas Chinese literature; Approaching History: The Fictional Worlds of Ha Jin and Yan Geling is her English book published in 2018.