Artist Feature: Marion Mutala
Marion Mutala is an award-winning author, educator, and musician whose work is deeply rooted in culture, storytelling, and song. She holds a Master’s degree in Educational Administration and spent 30 years teaching, all while nurturing a lifelong passion for the arts.
A creative force, Marion loves to write, sing, create visual art, play pickleball and guitar, travel, and read. Music has always been central to her life—she grew up as the ninth of ten siblings in a highly musical family where singing and playing instruments were a way of life. She began writing songs at age 12 after receiving her first guitar, and recorded her very first song, Freedom, when she was just 15.
Marion founded the vocal group The Sassy Sisters with her sisters and currently performs with A Rose Between Thorns in Saskatoon. The group performs regularly on Wednesdays at the Nutana Legion.
In addition to her music career, Marion has written 22 books to date. She is best known for her nationally bestselling and award-winning Baba’s Babushka children’s book series, celebrating Ukrainian, Métis, and cultural heritage. Her books have received numerous accolades, including High Plains Awards, Saskatchewan Book Award recognition, and the Anna Pidrucheny Award.
Some of her notable works include:
- Baba’s Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Christmas
- Baba’s Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Easter
- Baba’s Babushka: A Magical Ukrainian Wedding
- Kohkum’s Babushka: A Magical Métis/Ukrainian Tale (also adapted as a play)
- The Mechanic’s Wife (Silver Winner – Destiny Publishers Fiction Award)
- My Dearest Dido – The Holodomor Story (also available as an audiobook)
Her poetry collections, chapbooks, and musical storybooks blend words, music, and social justice themes. Sales from her chapbooks The Time for Peace Is Now and Earth Angels: Operation Angel were donated to Nashi, an organization working to prevent child human trafficking.
Marion’s latest release includes Baba’s Babushka: Magical Ukrainian Adventures, a 10th Anniversary Limited Edition hardcover featuring four stories, along with her first cookbook, Baba Sophie’s Ukrainian Cookbook. Several of her books uniquely include original music woven into the storytelling.
Quick Q&A with Marion Mutala
How did you first get into music?
I’m number nine out of ten siblings, and all of us sang or played instruments. Our family was very musical—we sang our whole lives.
What inspires your songwriting the most?
I received my first guitar at 12 years old and started writing songs right away. My first recording was a song I wrote at 15 called Freedom.
What’s one song you love performing live?
Forever Young by Bob Dylan is a favorite, along with my own songs like Not Afraid.
Have you been involved in any local showcases or open mics?
Yes—A Rose Between Thorns performs regularly on Wednesdays at the Nutana Legion in Saskatoon.
What advice would you give someone just starting out?
Keep going. Never give up.
What’s your go-to karaoke song?
Bye Bye Love by the Everly Brothers and Crazy by Patsy Cline.
Contact & Links
📞 Phone: 1-306-260-2393
📧 Email:marion.mutala@gmail.com
🌐 Website:www.babasbabushka.ca
🐦 Twitter: @Babamarion
📘 Facebook:www.facebook.com/marion.mutala