Workshop to focus on Aboriginal storytelling

A number of talented Aboriginal storytellers will get a chance to demonstrate their craft in Regina on May 4 when the Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples (LSSAP) committee hosts Oral Tradition to Written Text, a pre-conference workshop being held as part of the Saskatchewan Library Association's annual conference.

The LSSAP was established in 1991 to share information on issues related to library services for Aboriginal people in Saskatchewan. Through a network of partnerships the organization works to promote and improve library services within communities with a high Aboriginal population. One of the group's biggest achievements has been the establishment of a province-wide storytelling week held each February, with other provinces such as British Columbia and Ontario joining in. The winter timing of the storytelling week, which just completed its third year, observes the First Nations traditional time for the oral passing on of traditional legends and tales and involves school and public libraries. "But we hope the practice will continue all year long as well," said LSSAP chair Wendy Sinclair-Sparvier. LSSAP recently co-hosted the fourth International Indigenous Library Forum in Regina where a need to foster and preserve language, traditions and culture was found to be a worldwide concern.

Among those scheduled to take part in Oral Tradition to Written Text is Drew Hayden Taylor, originally from Curve Lake First Nation in Ontario, who has been called one of Canada's leading Native dramatists and has become known nationally and internationally as an outstanding playwright and author. Saskatchewan's own Maria Campbell, who has been honoured with numerous awards for her breakthrough memoir Halfbreed, and for subsequent contributions to children's literature, theatre, film, radio and television, will also present during the day-long workshop.

Dr. Neal McLeod, an accomplished author and a professor at the Saskatchewan-based First Nations University of Canada (FNUC), will also take part, as will artist and illustrator Michael Lonechild who paints a living history of Canada's First Nations from his home on the White Bear Reserve and has illustrated award-winning books. Elder Betty McKenna, originally from Opaswayak, Man., will also be taking part. McKenna, who learned many traditional teachings from her grandmother and is known for her healing, will share some traditional stories with workshop participants.

The workshop is open to anyone and is expected to attract teachers, library staff and academics, who will get a chance to discover the world of art and illustrations, become acquainted with First Nations and Metis writers and learn about oral traditions, said Sinclair-Sparvier. The information provided during the workshop will help participants learn how to promote Aboriginal artists and their work.

"We want to create awareness and better understanding of the oral traditions, some of which are being lost. Getting them into print is important because our Elders are passing away and taking their knowledge with them, so we must preserve it," she said.

"Many libraries are one-person services, so staffers coming to the conference can dialogue with their counterparts and learn a lot from the pre-conference and the conference itself," said Sinclair-Sparvier. "We've established a list of recommended Aboriginal titles and are creating a resource list, so we are making progress. Front line workers need support so this conference will go a long ways towards providing that."

Master of ceremonies for the day will be Darren Okemaysim from FNUC, who holds several degrees in Indian languages from Canadian universities and teaches courses in Cree at the university. There will be plenty of handouts for delegates to take home for further study and a toe-tapping demonstration of Metis fiddling is planned at the lunch break, Sinclair-Sparvier said. "But our main goal is to ensure everyone experiences these wonderful books and hopefully our funding will allow each to take home a copy."

More information about Oral Tradition to Written Text or the Saskatchewan Libraries Conference can be found online at www.lib.sk.ca/sla or by calling 780-9413.