Norma Dunning

Norma Dunning is an Inuk writer, academic, and researcher from Nain, Labrador, Canada. She is known for her short story collections and novels that explore the complexities of Inuit experiences in contemporary urban settings, often dealing with themes of displacement, identity, loss, and resilience.

Dunning holds a PhD in Education from the University of Alberta. Her academic work often focuses on Indigenous education and Inuit experiences in the Canadian education system. She has worked in various roles, including as an educator and a researcher, advocating for the rights and well-being of Inuit people.

Her published works include the short story collections Annie Muktuk and Other Things You Wouldn't Understand (2017), which won the Danuta Gleed Literary Award, and Tainna: The Unseen Ones (2021), which won the Governor General's Literary Award for English-language fiction. She has also published the novel Kinauvit?: What's Your Name? (2020). Dunning's writing is celebrated for its unflinching portrayal of the challenges faced by Inuit individuals while also highlighting their strength and cultural heritage. She is a significant voice in contemporary Canadian literature.