Indigenous Author Celebration
Download to Calendar:
Time: 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Cost: Free but tickets are required
Join us as we hear from some incredible Indigenous authors including Richard Van Camp, Aaron Paquette, Diana Frost, and Trent Fox! Lunch will be provided and tickets are free! There are only 40 tickets left and it is now first come, first served! Call ahead to have tickets set aside or come down to the Library to get yours today!
Richard Van Camp will also be running a Reclaiming Family Stories Writing Workshop (running from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and then participants will join everyone upstairs for the remainder of the Celebration) that will require separate registration. Space is limited for this special workshop! Register here: Reclaiming Family Stories Writing Workshop Registration
In the afternoon, Diana Frost and artist Shelley May (aka: The Metis Mamma) will be hosting a Spirit Doll Workshop! Space is limited so grab your spot here: Spirit Doll Workshop Registration Form
If you only want to attend the writing workshop OR the Spirit Doll workshop, no ticket is required. However, if you want to do the workshops and the Celebration (which we highly recommend!) please register for all sessions and pick up your ticket at the Library!
Event proudly sponsored by: Marigold Library System, BMO, the Jackman Foundation, the Writer's Union of Canada, the Totem Foundation, COLT, and the Cochrane Public Library
Participants in the Writing Workshop:
8:45 a.m.: Doors open
9:00 a.m.: Writing workshop with Richard Van Camp begins (please bring along your own laptop or writing supplies!)
12:00 p.m.: For those registered for the Celebration, come upstairs and join everyone for lunch
***Schedule proceeds with the Celebration schedule listed below.***
Participants for the Indigenous Author Celebration:
10:30 a.m.: Doors open
11:00 a.m.: Welcome
11:10 a.m.: Aaron Paquette
12:10 p.m.: Lunch is served
1:00 p.m.: Poem in Stoney read by Trent Fox
1:15 p.m.: Richard Van Camp
2:00 p.m.: Diana Frost
3:00 p.m.: Panel discussion and questions
3:30 p.m.: Prize draw and book signing period
4:00 p.m.: event ends
Participants in the Spirit Doll Workshop:
10:30 a.m.: Doors open
11:00 a.m.: Welcome
11:10 a.m.: Aaron Paquette
12:10 p.m.: Lunch is served
1:00 p.m.: Head downstairs for the workshop with Diana Frost and Shelley May
2:00 p.m.: Return back upstairs to hear Diana Frost speak
3:00 p.m.: Panel discussion and questions
3:30 p.m.: Prize draw and book signing period
4:00 p.m.: event ends
Richard Van Camp is a proud member of the Dogrib (Tlicho) Nation from Fort Smith, NWT, Canada from Fort Smith, NWT. He is a graduate of the En'owkin International School of Writing, the University of Victoria's Creative Writing BFA Program, and the Master's Degree in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia.
He is an internationally renowned storyteller and best-selling author. His novel, The Lesser Blessed, is now a movie with First Generation Films and premiered in September of 2012 at the Toronto International Film Festival. He is the author of four collections of short stories, Angel Wing Splash Pattern, The Moon of Letting Go, Godless but Loyal to Heaven and Night Moves, as well as two children’s books with Cree artist, George Littlechild: A Man Called Raven and What’s the Most Beautiful Thing You Know About Horses? (https://www.richardvancamp.com/)
Aaron Paquette is one of Canadaʼs best-known First Nations Metis personalities. He is a bestselling, award-winning author, an artist, and a highly in demand Keynote Speaker and Facilitator. He is also a politician elected to Edmonton City Council in 2017, an illustrator, goldsmith and cathedral stained glass artist.
Active in his community, Aaron sits on various civic, provincial and national Boards and Advisory Councils.
His bestselling, award winning novel Lightfinder is taught across Canada in schools, colleges and universities.
He was a candidate for Member of Parliament for the riding of Edmonton-Manning in 2015 (https://www.aaronpaquette.net/)
Tatâga Thkan Wagichi is a member of the Wesley First Nation, Stoney Nakoda Nation. He is a doctoral student in education at the University of Calgary. His inquiry is on the history of the Stoney Nakoda people and development of the Iyethka language. A writer and columnist, he authored Nakota Community, Watâga Wîyâ A’s, Â’s and B’s ze yuthpe îkiyabich (Grizzly Bear Woman Teaches the A’s, Â’s & B’s), and aspires to continue writing.
Anishinaabe nation artist
Originally from Quebec, Diana spent her teenage years in Western Africa which was an early awakening to different cultures and the difficulties of living in a developing country. Following that experience, she obtained a Chemical Engineering degree from the University of Sherbrooke with the intention of helping people to improve their standard of living by working on water and sanitation projects. After working as an Environmental Engineer and Simulations Engineer for 6 years, she left her job to work as a volunteer in Peru for two years on optimizing existing water and sewer systems. At the end of her contract, she came back to Alberta to work for the Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology, a startup not-for-profit organization with whom she pioneered train the trainer programs on household water treatment projects throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
Aside from being an engineer, Diana is also an Algonquin Métis, an artist, and a musician. Her love for art started when she was a child, drawing and painting in her grandfather’s art studio. She has worked mainly on portraits for the past 20 years, both in charcoal and chalk, pastels and watercolour. (https://colouringitforward.com/)
Can I just register for the Writing Workshop with Richard Van Camp or the Spirit Doll workshop with Shelley May?
Of course you can! No ticket will be required and you can head on out when the workshop finishes! Tickets are for those attending the overall Celebration so we can ensure enough food is ordered and everyone has a seat.
Where is the event being held?
The Links of Gleneagles Golf Course, 100 Gleneagles Dr, Cochrane, AB T4C 1P5
The Writing Workshop will be in the Falcon Room downstairs. The Celebration will be in the Terrace Room upstairs. Staff will be on hand to welcome you and point you in the right direction!
Are tickets free?
Yes! Tickets are free with your Library card and are now available for pick-up at the front desk at the Library!
Do I need a ticket?
If you are attending the Celebration, yes! If you are only attending the Writing Workshop or Spirit Doll workshop, no! If you want to do both (or all three), please ensure you register for both events and pick-up your tickets at the front desk at the Library.
Is there transportation available for residents of Morley?
Yes! COLT will be sending out 2 buses in the morning for anyone interested in the Writing Workshop, and then again for those interested in participating in the celebration. We will have more detailed information closer to the event date so stay tuned and ensure you select the appropriate spaces on the registration form!
Do I need to bring anything along for the Spirit Doll workshop?
Nope! All supplies will be provided. Come on down and learn!