Madeline Coopsammy was born in Trinidad, West Indies, when it was still a British colony. She immigrated to Canada in 1968, where she attended the University of Manitoba and graduated with B.Ed and M.Ed degrees. Her poetry and short stories have been published in anthologies and journals across Canada and the United States, and her poetry book, Prairie Journey: In the Prison of My Skin , was published in 2004. She is a regular book reviewer for the Winnipeg Free Press, Prairie Fire , and the Indo-Canadian Telegram. Currently retired from teaching, she is enjoying writing, reading, international gourmet cooking, entertaining, and her three grandchildren.