Adriana A. Davies, Order of Canada, Cavaliere d’Italia and Queen’s Diamond and Platinum Jubilee Medals recipient, was born in Italy, grew up in Canada and has a doctorate from the University of London. Publications include Changing My Skin: Dark Elegies and Other Poems, From Realism to Abstraction: The Art of J. B. Taylor, The Rise and Fall of Emilio Picariello, The Frontier of Patriotism: Alberta and the First World War (co-editor and contributor) and From Sojourners to Citizens: Alberta’s Italian History.

She was shortlisted for the Bressani Prize for non-fiction for Sojourners and awards include: the Alberta Museums Association Life Time Achievement Award, Province of Alberta Centennial Medal, Global Woman of Vision Award, YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in the Arts, Inaugural Heritage Writers Reserve Award of the Edmonton Heritage Council and others.