Poet Laureate talks about Aboriginal teachings, social issues

Photo caption: Cree poet Louise Halfe was named Saskatchewan’s second Poet Laureate.

Saskatchewan’s second Poet Laureate, Cree poet Louise Halfe, spoke to a small but enthusiastic crowd at the Frances Morrison Library in February. Her appearance was part of the Saskatoon Writers’ Coop’s presentation. The discussion centred around poetry, Aboriginal teaching, and social issues. Halfe, whose Native name is Sky Dancer, was born in Two Hills, Alta. and raised on Saddle Lake First Nation, but has called Saskatoon home for over 20 years. Halfe was chosen as Poet Laureate in 2005 by an independent committee comprised of representatives of the province’s literary, academic and government communities. Halfe’s poetry was first published in 1990 in the anthology Writing the Circle: Native Women of Western Canada. She published her first book of poetry, Bear Bones and Feathers, in 1994. Her second, Blue Marrow, was published in 1997. Both efforts were well received. Bear Bones and Feathers was short-listed for the Spirit of Saskatchewan Award, the Saskatchewan First Book Award, the Gerald Lambert Award and the Pat Lowther First Book Award, and won the Milton Acorn Award. Blue Marrow was short-listed for the Governor General’s Award and nominated in three Saskatchewan Book Awards categories-Saskatchewan Book of the Year, the Saskatoon Book Award and the Saskatchewan Poetry Award. She has had three books published.