Writer Feature: Mathew T. Hamilton
The Writer's Notebook
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The Writer's Notebook *
Mathew T. Hamilton lives in Canada in Hay River Northwest. He attends university in Calgary, Alberta. He is one of IHRAM Press’s treasured writers. In this interview, he shares his musings, inspiration, and honest thoughts on his experience with us as an author and activist.
His latest publication with IHRAM Press is Trauma, featured in IHRAM Quarter 4 Literary Magazine: Heart, Hope, & Land—Indigenous Voices.
Thank you for all you do, Mathew.
Now be honest, how has your experience been with IHRAM Press? How did you find us and why did you choose to publish with us?
My experience was great—this was my first time being published and I had no idea what the process was or any knowledge of what to do. Luckily, Kelly and Lisa were very straightforward, and the process was smooth. I learned about IHRAM during my first year of taking an Introduction to Creative Writing at Mount Royal University. My professor announced the submission call, and I figured why not give it a shot. I chose IHRAM because the submission guidelines align with my goal of writing, which is to raise awareness of current Indigenous issues, specifically within Canada; my first-hand experience with it growing up gave me valuable insight into what exactly I was writing about. I love what IHRAM stands for, what it publishes, and does to raise awareness for social inequity.
Would you recommend IHRAM Press to other writers/artists?
Yes, IHRAM Press is excellent, from what I know. The idea of publishing works that focus on numerous inequalities is impressive. Anyone with a voice is crucial in spreading awareness, and IHRAM's platform makes it more possible than ever. I've talked to numerous people about IHRAM and what it stands for.
Share a couple of quotes from your written piece/s published in IHRAM Literary Magazine 2024!
“The moonlight is shown through small gaps between curtains, softly glowing and enchanting the room, symbolizing that there is light throughout the darkness and a nightly reminder that the sun will rise again.”
“The world is a cruel place; lightning and thunder rain down amongst families long torn from generational trauma, using the same rusted dagger to cut one another.”
Now for the fun questions! What compels you to pick up a pen or open your laptop to free-write? And what inspires/influences your writing, particularly when it comes to addressing human rights issues?
Writing is both a necessity and a form of release for me. When I pick up a pen or open my laptop, it's often because emotions, memories, or observations demand to be expressed in words. I write to process, understand, and give voice to experiences that are often left unspoken.
Much of my inspiration comes from my personal life and experiences shared by family/friends. The weight of generational trauma, the struggles of marginalized communities, and the resilience found within them are themes that constantly resurface in my work. When addressing human rights issues, I am driven by a need to shed light on the untold or overlooked narratives, particularly those of Indigenous people in Canada. The stories of addiction, loss, and survival are deeply intertwined with colonial histories, and I feel a responsibility to speak on them—not just as an observer but as someone who has witnessed their impact firsthand.
Literature has the power to humanize struggles that statistics and reports cannot fully capture. Through my writing, I want to create moments of understanding, reflection, and empathy where readers are informed and emotionally connected to the realities faced by so many. The pain of a mother lost to addiction, the longing of a child for warmth and stability, and the cycle of trauma that continues to haunt generations—these are not just stories but lived realities that deserve to be heard.
Ultimately, I write because silence has never been an option. Through fiction, poetry, or raw storytelling, I aim to use my words to reclaim narratives, honor resilience, and contribute to the ongoing conversation about healing, justice, and human rights.
The human rights concerns addressed in the IHRAM literary magazine are often complex and challenging to navigate. How do you navigate the balance between highlighting these challenges and maintaining a sense of hope or optimism in your writing?
One of the most delicate aspects of my writing is balancing harsh realities with a sense of hope. When addressing human rights issues, particularly those rooted in generational trauma, addiction, and systemic oppression, I strive to acknowledge the full weight of these struggles without leaving readers in despair.
I do this by centring resilience alongside hardship. Pain and suffering are undeniable, but so is the strength of those who endure. In TRAUMA, for example, while the mother’s addiction and the generational wounds are evident, there is also love—the unwavering love of her child, the hope in his dreams, and the light that persists even in darkness. Hope doesn’t come from ignoring reality; it comes from recognizing that despite everything, people continue to fight, heal, and dream of something better.
How do you personally connect with our mission? Particularly on the power of art and literature to influence social change, and our values of beauty as a fundamental creative principle, sincerity, vulnerability, celebrating diversity, and opening doorways of engagement.
I deeply connect with your mission because I believe in the power of storytelling as both an act of resistance and a catalyst for change. Art and literature have long been tools for shedding light on overlooked narratives, amplifying marginalized voices, and challenging the systems perpetuating injustice. Through writing, we create spaces where people can feel seen, where difficult conversations occur, and where healing begins.
For me, beauty as a fundamental creative principle does not mean avoiding painful truths, but finding humanity within them. Even in the most tragic stories, there is beauty in resilience, in love, and in the act of survival itself. This is why sincerity and vulnerability are so crucial in my work. Writing TRAUMA required me to be open, to acknowledge the raw realities of addiction and generational pain, but also to recognize the tenderness and hope that exist within them.
Finally, I connect with your mission of opening doorways of engagement. Writing is not just a solitary act but an invitation to conversation. Stories have the power to bridge gaps between experiences, to encourage reflection, and to inspire action. If my words can make someone feel less alone, challenge a perspective, or spark a dialogue, then they have done their part in contributing to social change.
The IHRAM magazine aims to celebrate authors contending with their identities within the context of their environments. How does your environment influence your view of the world (your home country, city, and surrounding culture)?
My environment—both the physical spaces I’ve inhabited and the cultural landscapes that have shaped me—deeply influences my writing and worldview. Generational trauma, colonial history, and systemic struggles are woven into the everyday realities of many, so I cannot separate my identity from my surroundings. The echoes of the past are ever-present, manifesting in the struggles of individuals and families, yet so is the resilience of those who continue to fight for healing and recognition.
In comparison, how does your intersectionality influence your view of the world (your personal beliefs, gender expression, religious affiliations, etc.)?
My intersectionality—the many layers of identity that shape who I am—deeply influences my worldview and my approach to storytelling. Identity is not singular, and neither is the way we experience the world. I exist at the crossroads of multiple histories, struggles, and perspectives, which allows me to see the world through a lens that is both deeply personal and broadly connected to larger systems of oppression and resilience.
Being part of a marginalized community, I understand what it means to carry generational trauma, to navigate spaces that were not built for people like me, and to negotiate my place in the world constantly. My beliefs are rooted in the idea that identity is fluid, that history is inescapable, and that storytelling is one of the most powerful ways to reclaim space and agency.
My gender expression and cultural background also influence how I engage with the world. There is an expectation, often unspoken, that we fit into predefined roles, but lived experiences are rarely that simple. The tension between personal identity and societal expectations informs my writing, particularly when exploring themes of belonging, survival, and self-determination.
When it comes to spirituality, I see it not just as an individual experience but as something deeply tied to ancestry and land. The stories of my people, how we understand the world, and the resilience passed down through generations all shape my sense of purpose. This perspective helps me challenge dominant narratives that erase Indigenous voices and allows me to weave themes of spirituality, healing, and cultural survival into my work.
Ultimately, my intersectionality forces me to view the world as complex—a place where oppression and resistance exist side by side, where identity is constantly evolving, and where storytelling is a tool not only for expression but also for survival. This understanding drives me to write, create, and ensure that stories like mine are heard.
Support Activist Writers
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Mathew has only been writing for a year, so look out for his name in the future!
You can find Mathew on Instagram.
