Author Eden Robinson blends Indigenous Haisla and Heiltsuk heritage in new fantasy epic

Acclaimed author Eden Robinson has returned to her home village of Kitamaat to launch a new literary epic that weaves together Haisla and Heiltsuk cultural traditions with the fantasy genre. In an interview with CBC News on 20 September 2026, Robinson discussed her latest novel, The Sorceress of Sky Serpents, which marks her first major release since the award-winning Trickster series. The novel is set in an apocalyptic world inspired by the Indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest. The story follows a narrator named Yula as she navigates a society shaped by clan and potlatch structures. Speaking with CBC Daybreak North host Carolina de Ryk, Robinson explained that while she has spent 15 years trying to finish a fantasy book, she found success by rooting this new world in the familiar supernatural lore of her father and her traditional territory. Robinson, now 58, has lived in Kitamaat Village full-time since 2003, after initially returning to help her parents. She noted that growing up on her mother’s and father’s reserves provided a unique lens for her world-building. The author recalled being immersed in Haisla and Heiltsuk identity from a young age, including stories of supernatural creatures like giant octopuses and beavers that inhabit the Douglas Channel. A lifelong fan of science fiction and fantasy, Robinson cited authors like Octavia Butler as early inspirations who proved that people of colour could excel in the genre. For The Sorceress of Sky Serpents, she integrated Indigenous place names and geography into the book's map, ensuring the fantastical setting remained deeply connected to the reality of the North Coast. The release is currently featured as one of the highly anticipated Canadian fiction titles for the spring season.