Nancy Evelyn Shipley (nee Somerville) was born in Glasgow, Scotland on November 6, 1902. In the 1920s, she moved to Winnipeg and married George Shipley. Nan Shipley published fourteen books and numerous short stories and articles. Her first book Anna and the Indians (1955) had been reprinted many times. Among her better known publications are Frances and the Crees (1957); The Railway Builders (1965); The James Evan Story (1966); and Churchill: Canada’s Northern Gateway (1974). As a big supporter of Indigenous and Métis culture, she organized Manitoba’s first Indigenous handicrafts sales centre (1959) and focused her writing on Indigenous and Métis women. In 1965 Shipley was elected Woman of the Year by the Women’s Advertising and Sales Club of Winnipeg. She also hosted weekly television program (1974-75) at CKND Winnipeg. Nan Shipley passed away on January 23, 1990.

1904 - Born in Glasgow, Scotland, daughter of Robert Somerville and Mary (MacDonald) Somerville.
1925 - Married George Shipley.
1955 - First book published by Ryerson Press Book "Anna and the Indians"
1960-61 - Radio and television series on Western Canadian Indigenous peoples culture given.
1965 - Woman of the Year in Manitoba award.
1966 - Good Citizen and Golden Boy Awards received.
1966-67 - Instructor at University of Manitoba Evening Institute.
1970 - Received North Dakota State University award for Historical Writing.
1970 - Presented a brief to Status of Women Commission on Women of First Nations and Métis ancestry.
1972 - With Alex Grisdale, published "Wild Drums."
1974 - Published "Churchill: Canada's Northern Gateway:'(her 13th book) which received the Margaret McWilliams Medal.
1978 -  Reader's Digest published condensed form of "Return to the River."
1979 - Paper given at University of Manitoba Annual Archives Symposium.
1981 - Anonymous donor established two Nan Shipley Scholarships.
1982 - Published "The International Peace Garden. 50th Anniversary." Peguis Press.