Saskatchewan poet among Anskohk winners

Saskatchewan poet Neal McLeod was among the winners at this year's Anskohk Book Awards, announced during a gala banquet held on Sept. 30 in Saskatoon.

McLeod, who is originally from James Smith Cree Nation, received the award for Aboriginal Poetry Book of the Year for his book Songs to Kill A Whitikow.

McLeod recently left a teaching position at the First Nations University of Canada and moved to Peterborough, Ont. where he is an associate professor of Indigenous studies at Trent University. He is currently working on his second book of poetry, entitled Gabriel's Beach.

"There are many stories that have been kept inside for so long," McLeod said upon receiving his award. He expressed thanks to the Elders who had kept the stories alive and to the organizers of the festival for giving Indigenous writers a chance to gain exposure. "It's a great thing organizers have done, to do this," he said.

Other Anskohk Book Award winners included Thomas King, who captured two awards-Aboriginal Fiction Book of the Year and McNally Robinson Aboriginal Book of the Year-for his work, A Short History of Indians in Canada. McNally store manager Wayne Dueck announced the award but King was not on hand to receive it.

The award for Aboriginal Children's Book of the Year was shared by two recipients-Dale Auger, for his work Mwakwa Talks to the Loon: A Cree Story for Children, and Nicola Campbell for Shi-Shi Etko.

Campbell, who lives in B.C., received her award with grateful tears. Overcome with emotion at first, the new author later returned to the podium to talk about her experience. She used the chance to acknowledge those storytellers who went before her.

"Those Elders practised our culture when it was outlawed," she said.

The Anskohk Book Awards gala was held as part of the third annual Anskohk Aboriginal Literature Festival, the only one of its kind in Canada. Held in Saskatoon from Sept. 27 to 30, the festival drew Aboriginal writers from across the country who came to lead workshops, conduct poetry readings and encourage each other in the sometimes lonely occupation of being an Indigenous storyteller. Three partners came together to co-ordinate this year's festival-the Saskatchewan Native Theatre Company, McNally Robinson Booksellers and, new to the festival this year, the Saskatoon Public Library.

The festival was created to promote and celebrate the work of Aboriginal writers, especially those from Saskatchewan and across Canada.

Highlights of the four-day event included a book signing by Dr. Allan Sapp. The renowned artist attended the festival to sign copies of his latest work, Through the Eyes of the Cree and Beyond. The book contains many paintings by the artist interspersed with comments from various writers. Although the book was originally released last year, this was the first time Sapp could be on hand for the signing.

Other noted authors taking part in this year's festival included Eden Robinson, Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Richard Wagamese, Larry Loyie and Morningstar Mercredi.
A new publication, Indigenous Justice Magazine, was also launched during the festival.