Gin Sexsmith

Introspective, unapologetic, and forever for the girls, Gin Sexsmith’s writing explores love, identity, sexuality, trauma, and mental illness through a speculative lens. “I’m an author and songwriter who’s forever wringing out my emotions and seeing what sticks,” she says.

A mixed-Kanyen’kehá:ka, Indigiqueer novelist and songwriter from Kenhtè:ke, Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, and a member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte First Nation, Gin’s work can be found in The Humber Literary Review, Exile Editions, HI Canada, and at your local library. She is also the editor for Canadian Geographic’s Discovery Language series which explores stories of Indigenous language preservation and revitalization.

Gin is one of five recipients of County Arts’ Indigenous Voices Fund 2025-26 grant, which provides direct financial support to Indigenous artists in the Quinte region to facilitate arts creation, sharing, and learning opportunities for Indigenous artists. This grant will enable her to record and release a self-titled EP with Juno-award winning producer, song-writer, mixer and engineer, Hill Kourkoutis. “I plan to create music that punches people right in the gut,” she says. “I think my purpose in life is to make people feel.”

Her debut novel, In the Hands of Men, was published in 2023 by Gilded Press, and is currently being developed into a TV series. Exploring themes of patriarchy, male violence, and the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQI+ People, the novel tells the story of Delilah, who, haunted by the loss of her cousin, has curated a world of revenge and murder: playing judge, jury, and executioner. Fueled by a rage that feels ancestral, dating back to all of the Indigenous women before her whose cases were closed without much searching, Delilah must ask herself as a virus ripples through the world, devolving men into animals – is she a monster too or is she simply taking her power back from the hands of men?

The audiobook for In the Hands of Men released on Audible in June 2024, narrated by Kawennáhere Devery Jacobs, and was voted Top 20 Best of the Year. The much anticipated sequel, Medicine For Strength, is set to be released this fall.

To learn more about Gin and her work, visit ginsexsmith.com, and be sure to check out her interview with fellow Indigenous Voices Fund grant recipient, Oronhyathe Green, on Artscene on 99.3 FM here (aired on March 27, 2026). Read on below to learn more about Gin’s upcoming projects, what’s been influencing her lately, and much more!

Tell us about your upcoming projects:

I’m currently in the studio with Hill Kourkoutis recording my first album. I’m also working on a new book and deciding on cover art for my second novel (it’ll be out in September!).

What have you worked on recently that has you excited?

I’m in a really great place right now. I’m super excited to share new music, work on the marketing for my album, and start promoting my second novel. I also recently finished a 2-year Mohawk language and culture program. The last few years have been extremely busy, but I’m incredibly proud of myself and excited for what’s next.

Which tools or resources have helped you the most in your career?

I’m a recent recipient of the Indigenous Voices Fund. It was that grant that really made me dive back into music. I’ve been in novel/screenwriting/language-learning mode for the last few years, but I’ve been missing singing and songwriting. When I received the grant, it was the kind of encouragement I needed to pursue this other big dream. Like, okay, I can do this too. My mom has always been my cheerleader. She’s the first person to read my work and listen to my songs. She’s believed in me even when I haven’t believed in myself. It’s important to have a support system who knows, loves, and respects you. I’m surrounded by such wonderful people in both my personal and professional life. Artistic careers can be full of self-doubt at times, and I feel incredibly grateful to have a lot of people who go out of their way to hype me up.

Tell us about another artist’s work you’ve experienced recently that made an impact on you:

I recently went to see Aysanabee play an intimate set in Tweed. He’s incredible. We used to hit the open mic circuit in Toronto around the same time and actually played a set together back in 2019. His ability to tie emotionality, humour, and storytelling into his performances is something everyone needs to see. I think sometimes, as artists, we can feel as if we need to be someone else in order to succeed. His authenticity was a great reminder that our individual personalities are our superpower. I’m a sucker for acoustic, stripped down versions of songs and his newest EP Timelines is just that. His acoustic version of Somebody Else lives rent free in my head.

What has been your most challenging project since you began your career?

I love a challenge, but writing In the Hands of Men was emotionally difficult. A lot of my work feels like opening old wounds in order to heal. When it comes to music, I was always used to songwriting with a guitar player, but for the album I wanted to challenge myself and write the songs all by myself on guitar. It was important for me to prove to myself that I could do it alone, and I did.

What advice would you give to artists starting out in their careers?

Just start. Enjoy the process. Keep in mind the younger version of you that had these big dreams in the first place. Stay present. Remember that life is about the journey, what you learn, unlearn, and the friends you make along the way. Be kind, but have boundaries. Don’t be ashamed of your goals.

Name a piece of media you’ve been loving lately:

I’m currently re-reading All About Love by bell hooks. I learn something new each time I read it.

What is your favourite comfort food?

Poutine from United Restaurant in Deseronto.