Aboriginal Story Telling Month upon us
- EFN Staff | February 05, 2016
February is Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling Month and the provincial government is pleased to participate in this major cultural initiative.
Events will take place throughout the province, showcasing the lives, histories, practices and cultures of Aboriginal people and performers. The main presenter for the month’s celebrations is the Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples committee.
“Storytelling is at the heart of First Nations and Métis experiences,” Minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs Minister Jim Reiter said. “Through stories, song and performance, participants will be sharing the rich traditions of indigenous people with the entire province.”
The launch event for the month takes place at John M. Cuelenaere Public Library
in Prince tonight from 6:30-9 pm., with Prince Albert Northcote MLA Victoria
Jurgens representing Minister Reiter. This all-ages event, hosted by
Wapiti Regional Library, will feature traditional Cree storytelling by Solomon
Ratt of the First Nations University of Canada, the puppeteering of Rabbit and
Bear Paws, and refreshments from the Prince Albert Métis Women’s Association.
Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling Month has grown from modest beginnings in
2004 with 2,800 participants to nearly 300 sessions and more than 16,500
participants last year.
For a listing of events being held throughout Saskatchewan, visit the website
of Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples at https://lssap.wordpress.com.
Last year for Storytelling Month, the Wheatland Region library was able to partner with the Station Arts Centre in Rosthern as their venue and they had three storytellers that attended the event: Chad Solomon, who does the Rabbit and Bear Paws series of graphic novels and tells his stories with the use of puppets; Leah Dorion from the Prince Albert area, an interdisciplinary artist and author of several children’s books; and Master of Ceremonies Howard Walker, a well-known for MC at traditional events such as powwows and round dances in Saskatchewan.
Related: Askiy Achimowina: Stories from the Land