Darcy Tamayose is a PhD student 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 upon the MA work and continues with the oral history-scaffolded investigation of 1907 issei immigrants that came from various Ryukyu island districts to settle on the southern Alberta prairies.
Darcy has had three books published which include: Ezra's Ghosts (NeWest Press, 2022) a finalist for the Atwood Gibson Writers' Trust Fiction Prize; 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.