Author & Illustrator

Rev. Dr. Jackie Cope

Writing has always been part of my life.

Long before I published my first book, I was writing in journals, notebooks, and scraps of paper. I wrote songs, poems, diary entries, and stories. Writing was how I made sense of the world and how I explored ideas that mattered to me.

Some people discover writing later in life. For me it was always there.

As I moved through school, my love of writing continued to grow. Teachers encouraged it. Assignments became opportunities to express something meaningful. Over time, writing became more than a hobby. It became a way to communicate, reflect, and create.

That lifelong relationship with writing eventually led me to publishing my first book at the age of 26.

A Life in Storytelling

My first book was traditionally published through a small press. Seeing my words become a real book in the hands of readers was a powerful moment. It confirmed something I had always felt.

Stories matter.

They help people understand themselves. They help children see their identity reflected in the world. They help communities share knowledge across generations.

Publishing that first book opened the door to something much bigger. Since then, writing has grown into a central part of my creative and professional life.

Today, much of my work is self published. Independent publishing allows me to create freely, share ideas directly with readers, and maintain control over the stories I choose to tell.

Writing as a Contemporary Indigenous Voice

One of the reasons I continue writing is because Indigenous voices are still underrepresented in publishing.

For many years, stories about Native people were written by outsiders. When Indigenous characters appeared in books, they were often shown only in historical settings. Those stories rarely reflected the complexity of Native life today.

But Indigenous communities are living cultures. Our stories are not limited to the past.

As a contemporary Indigenous author, I write stories that reflect the present. My books explore identity, imagination, humor, education, healing, and everyday life within Native communities.

Writing in this space matters because it helps expand the stories that exist about Indigenous people. It creates room for children and adults to see Native life represented with honesty and creativity.

Each book I write is part of that larger effort to contribute an authentic voice to the literary landscape.

Author and Illustrator

In addition to writing, I also illustrate some of my own work. Visual storytelling has always been part of how I imagine stories. Characters, environments, and moments come alive through both words and images.

Illustration allows me to shape the full world of the story.

It gives readers another way to connect with the characters and the ideas being shared.

Combining writing and illustration allows me to create books that feel personal and imaginative at the same time.

Books Across Different Worlds

My work spans several types of writing.

Some books are children’s stories inspired by imagination, animals, and community life. Others are reflective journals and workbooks designed to support personal growth. I have also written books for educators that share practical strategies for professional learning.

Even though these books live in different categories, they share the same foundation.

They are all rooted in storytelling, reflection, and the belief that ideas can help people see themselves and the world differently.

Continuing the Journey

Writing is not something I see as a single accomplishment. It is a lifelong practice.

Each new book is another opportunity to explore ideas, share experiences, and contribute to the growing presence of Indigenous voices in literature.

My hope is that these stories and journals encourage readers to reflect, imagine, and connect with their own experiences in new ways.

The journey of writing that started with childhood journals continues today with every new page.