jaye simpson

jaye simpson (stylized in all lowercase) is an Oji-Cree-Saulteaux indigiqueer writer, poet, activist, and drag queen.

Personal life

simpson resides in Vancouver, Canada, on the territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-waututh, and Squamish. they write their name, pronouns, and the word "i" in lowercase letters as a stylistic choice to emulate a softness they feel society does not regularly provide to them.

Career

simpson is most noted as a shortlisted finalist for the Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ Canadian writers in 2021 with the publication of their debut poetry collection it was never going to be okay by Nightwood Editions in 2020. In addition to the Dayne Ogilvie Prize, the book was the winner in the poetry category for the 2021 Indigenous Voices Awards. their work is published in a variety of magazines, another notable publication of theirs being their piece all this out of spite published in St@nza in the summer 2021 issue. simpson's story The Ark of the Turtle's Back was published in Love After the End, an anthology collection edited by Joshua Whitehead.

simpson writes in both English and the Swampy Cree dialect. their subjects include indigeneity, queerness, and their experience in the child welfare system.