CURRICULUM VITAE
BILINGUAL WRITER - EDUCATOR - JOURNALIST - TRANSLATOR
Education
1990
Master of Education, Simon Fraser University (ESL, Adult Literacy, Transformative Pedagogies).
1979
Master of Arts Candidate, University of British Columbia (Latin American Literature).
1970
Teacher of English (Magnum cum Laude), University of Chile.
Selected Professional Experiences
2023, October 15
Artistic director, script writer and vocalist: REMEMBERING THE FUTURE - An Evening of Music, Poetry and Art in Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Military Coup in Chile and in Celebration of the Arrival of Chileans and all Latin Americans in Vancouver. Orpheum Theatre. Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre.
2023
Mentor to emerging writers: Mentorship Program of The Writers' Union of Canada, Vancouver.
2022
Writer in Residence: Historic Joy Kogawa House, Vancouver.
2021 & 2022
Writer and Co-Artistic Director: Trasiego: the Multiple Voices and Languages of Uprooting and Re-rooting. A poetry and visual/digital art installation. In collaboration with Dafne Blanco-Sarlay. Marpole Neighbourhood House and Historic Joy Kogawa House, Vancouver.
2019
Writer and vocalist: Pop-up Dances and Poetry. In collaboration with musician Hugo Guzmán, choreographer Zahra Shahab and dancers Oksana Augustine and Alder Sherwood. New Works and Vancouver Public Library.
2017
Writer in Residence: Historic Joy Kogawa House, Vancouver.
2012 – Present
Writer, workshop facilitator, freelance journalist, editor and translator. Vancouver.
1990 - 2012
Correspondent: Latin American Section, Radio Canada International, Vancouver.
1989 - 2010
Sessional Instructor: Simon Fraser University, Burnaby/ Vancouver. Department of Sociology and Anthropology - Program in Latin American Studies: Latin American Literature in Translation: The Southern Cone – Selected Works of the Last Thirty-five Years. Latin America and Beyond – Cultural Struggles and Celebrations. Faculty of Education: Multicultural Education, Literacy Theory, Literacy Instruction, ESL Instruction, Popular Education, Curriculum Development.
2009
Writer in Residence/Adjunct Professor: University of British Columbia, Vancouver.
Department of French, Hispanic and Italian Studies: Latin American Cultural Studies, Creative Writing.
2001
Literacy and Popular Education Consultant: Northwest Territories and Nunavut Literacy Councils.
1997 – 1998
Mentor to emerging writers: Mentorship Program of The Writers' Union of Canada, Vancouver.
1993 - 1998
Literacy and Popular Education Consultant/Creative Writing Workshop Facilitator and Mentor: Learning Centre, Carnegie Community Centre, Vancouver.
1988 - 1997
Founder and Member of the Editorial Board: Revista Aquelarre Magazine, Vancouver.
1991 - 1997
Literacy and Popular Education Consultant/Coordinator: Nicaraguan Institute for Popular Education and Research and International Programs, Douglas College, New Westminster.
1997, 1992 & 1990
Creative Writing Workshop Facilitator and Mentor: Vancouver International Children's Festival, Vancouver.
1991
Programming Consultant: Vancouver International Writers' Festival.
1989 - 1994
Literacy Consultant and Writer: K'noowenchoot Centre (former Native Adult Education Centre), Okanagan University College, Salmon Arm.
1987 - 1989
Literacy Instructor and Tutor Trainer: Douglas College, New Westminster.
1985 - 1987
Literacy Instructor: Native Education Centre, Vancouver.
1983 - 1984
Teacher of English: Universidad de Cuyo, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.
1979 - 1982
Academic Director: Centro Boliviano Americano, La Paz, Bolivia.
1974 - 1978
Teaching Assistant: University of British Columbia, Vancouver. Department of French, Hispanic and Italian Studies.
1972 - 1973
Professor: Universidad Austral, Valdivia. Department of Modern Languages.
1971
Teacher of English and Teacher Trainer: Escuela Normal, Valdivia.
Other Professional Experiences
Key-note speeches, readings, workshops, seminars, lectures, forums and round tables on culture and literature, adult literacy and popular education in Canada, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Panama, England, Norway, Mexico, Cuba and the United States.
Elected Positions, Memberships and Appointments
2022
Member of the Jury, Danuta Gleed Literary Award for first collection of short fiction.
2022
Member of the Assessment Panel, B.C. Arts Council’s Scholarship Program - Literary Arts.
2021-Present
Honorary Elder, Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre.
2017-2020
Member of National Council, The Writers' Union of Canada.
2018-2019
Member of the Membership Criteria Task Force, The Writers' Union of Canada.
2015-2017
Member of the Governance Task Force, The Writers’ Union of Canada.
2002 - 2005
Member of the Literary Advisory Committee, B.C. Arts Council.
2003
Member of the Jury, Governor General's Literary Awards, nonfiction category.
1997 - 2002
Chair and Co-Chair, Social Justice Task Force, The Writers' Union of Canada.
2001
Member of the Jury, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) National Short Fiction Competition.
1997 - 1999
Member of National Council, The Writers' Union of Canada.
1997
Chair, Minority Writers' Committee, The Writers' Union of Canada.
1993 - 1995
Member of the Literary Advisory Committee, B.C. Ministry of Tourism and Culture.
1991 - 1993
Member of the Board, View: The Performing Arts Society.
RECOGNITIONS AND AWARDS
2022 - Honorary Mention in the “Best Historical Novel” category for Atacama – International Latino Book Awards.
2021 - Inducted as inaugural "Honorary Elder" by the Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre.
2020 - Finalist for the Women of Distinction Award, Arts, Culture and Design category, YWCA.
2019 - Homage and Exhibition in honour of trail-blazing and unique contributions to the Latin American-Canadian community as a writer, educator and activist -- Canadian Association of Spanish Language Scholars and Creators.
2019 - "My Father Was Made of Stories," short-listed for the non-fiction category of the "Writing in the Margins Contest," Briarpatch Magazine.
2012 - Second Place in the "Most Popular Novel" category for Retribution – International Latino Book Awards.
1997 - Finalist, Vancouver Book Awards for and a body to remember with.
1997 - Special Mention of the Premio Municipal de Literatura - City of Santiago Literary Awardsfor De cuerpo entero.
1996 - Special Mention for poem "Positions" - Confederation Poets Prize, presented by ARC Magazine (Ottawa).
1994 - Present - Numerous Canada Council and B.C. Arts Council grants in support of individual writing initiatives and collaborative, interdisciplinary projects.
1973 - "Acuarela," Honorary Mention of Revista Paula's short story competition.