Award-winning Author, Educator, Speaker, and PhD Student

Samantha Beynon was born and raised on Lax Kxeen Island (Prince Rupert, BC) on her ancestral lands of the Ts’msyen Peoples, whose traditional language is Sm’algya̱x. While not all community members were able to continue speaking their language due to past colonial injustices, Ts’msyen people today are working hard to reclaim and revitalize their language. Samantha is now a visitor on the unceded territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples in Victoria, BC, a place she holds with extreme gratitude. She acknowledges that simply saying she is a visitor can feel performative without meaningful action, so her personal commitment is to continue learning about the local Nations, building relationships, and finding ways to give back through teaching, storytelling, and everyday practice. Following the matrilineal traditions of her people, Samantha’s identity and lineage come through her mother’s side. She belongs to Wilps Axdii Wil Luugooda (The House that is Always Full) and the Ganada (Frog/Raven) Clan, and her family is connected to the community of Ging̱olx under the Ging̱olx Village Government. She carries the Beynon, Trimble, Gurney, Adams, and Fitzgerald family names and remains closely connected to her Nisg̱a’a ancestry, which continues to shape her values and work. Samantha often reflects on her educational journey and the tremendous support she has received from her community in Gingolx along the way. She holds a Master's in Education and Leadership and is currently a PhD student at the University of Victoria. Her research explores how storytelling can build empathy, challenge stereotypes, and support reconciliation in classrooms. Beyond her academic and creative work, Samantha is a proud mother of three, Rae, Blake, and Holden, and wife to Tyler. She finds balance through family, food, and time with her animals. 

Reviews 
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“This beautiful book shares the importance of community, pictures and words. They bring you to an understanding of how potlatches help us all know who we are, and continue to be for Indigenous peoples.”
— Carolyn Roberts, educator, speaker, and author of Restorying Education
(Celebrating Potlatches)

“Oolichan Moon is a wonderful story with such simple teachings for all of us... This story teaches all of us that we must only take what is needed and that we should always give something back.”
— Joseph Dandurand, storyteller and author of A Magical Sturgeon
(Oolichan Moon)

“Through the delightful teachings of wise and kind grandparents, the grandchildren, and we, as readers are able to learn about oolichans and their immense cultural value.”
— Nancy Turner, Professor Emeritus, University of Victoria, and author of Plants of Haida Gwaii
( Oolichan Moon)

“I had a little tear welling up in my eye as I thought how cool it will be for kids to be reading about part of their culture. This kind of story is long overdue and badly needed.”
— Edward Desson, Fisheries Manager, Nisg̱a’a Fisheries and Wildlife, Nisg̱a’a Lisims Government
(Oolichan Moon)

​Contact
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For media or author appearance requests related to Oolichan Moon or Hamburger Soup, please contact Fleur Matthewson at Harbour Publishing: [email protected]
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For media or author appearance requests related to Celebrating Potlatches or Stirring up Traditions, please contact Strong Nations: [email protected]


For any other author inquiries not related to the above titles, including new book projects, research collaborations, Pro-D days, or author festival invitations, please contact Samantha Beynon directly via email by [email protected]
Or use the Contact submission form below.

Samantha is currently represented by
 Lisa Rambert-Valaskova at Transatlantic Agency.
She will be happy to direct any new book or publishing-related requests to her agent. 

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T’ooyaksiy̓ n̓iin (Thank you)

Contact Samantha
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