Valerie Mason-John

Dr Valerie Mason-John M.A grew up in Barnardo's, foster homes and ended up on the streets aged 14 and was incarcerated aged 15 for shop lifting. They trained as a journalist working as an international correspondent covering Aboriginal deaths in custody, Sinn Fein Prisoners, and many other political issues in the 90s. Author of ten books, their first novel Borrowed Body (renamed 'The Banana Kid') won the Mind Book of the Year Award. The Great Black North: Contemporary African Canadian Poetry 2013' is the first national anthology has won critical acclaim. 'Eight Step Recovery: Using the Buddha's Teachings to Overcome Addiction', won best self help book, and their most recent I am still Your Negro An Homage to James Baldwin was short listed for two prestigious Canadian awards. In 2024 First Aid Kit for the mind, will be published. In 2006, Awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of East London for their lifetime achievements. A Public speaker in the field of mindfulness for Trauma and Addiction, they are one of the founding facilitators of Dr Gabor Mates Compassionate Inquiry. They live in Canada.