Darcy Tamayose is a PhD candidate in Cultural, Social, and Political Thought (CSPT) examining the Okinawan Canadian diaspora. Her MA (History) thesis explored the kika nisei journey of Naoko Shimabukuro—spanning from southern Alberta to Hamahiga Island with focus on the Okinawan Canadian civilian frontline experience during the Second World War Battle of Okinawa. Tamayose's PhD study expands with the oral history-scaffolded investigation of 1907 issei immigrants that came from various Ryukyu island districts to settle on the prairies.

Tamayose has three published books: Ezra's Ghosts (NeWest Press, 2022) finalist for the Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, winner of Trade Fiction Book of the Year at the Alberta Book Publishing Awards 2023, and winner of the Douglas Barbour Award for Speculative Fiction 2023; Odori (Cormorant Books, 2007) recipient of the Canada-Japan Literary Award and finalist for the Georges Bugnet Award; and Katie Be Quiet (Coteau Books, 2008) Foreword Indies finalist in the Juvenile Award category.