(Updated throughout month)
The Government of Saskatchewan has declared February 2024 as "Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling Month." Numerous events are being celebrated around the province; we've listed a number of these events with links to more information here:
Sâkêwêwak Annual Storyteller’s Festival
SaskMusic is pleased to support the Sâkêwêwak Annual Storyteller’s Festival (February 15-18, Regina). Here's the link to their schedule for this year: https://sakewewak.ca/events/festival/
The Sâkêwêwak Annual Storyteller’s Festival is a community-based, multidisciplinary arts showcase featuring Indigenous artists. During this annual event, many Indigenous artists are invited to participate as an opportunity to share their diverse artistic practices with the Regina community.
Nutrien Kôna Winter Festival at Wanuskewin Heritage Park
While not specifically a Storytelling Month event, there is lots of great programming happening at Wanuskewin this month - with special guests, dance presentations, and daily drop-in programming at the Nutrien Kôna Winter Festival week, February 20-24, 2024.
Learn more at https://wanuskewin.com/event/february-break-week-programming/
White Feather: Intergenerational Stories Past, Present & Future - Feb 15 - 6:30pm-9pm - Regina, University of Regina - Event Page
Star Stories Night - Feb 16 - 5pm-10pm - Regina; Regina Public Library, Saskatchewan Science Centre, and Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre - https://tourismregina.com/calendar/star-stories-night/
Elder Circles Series - Mondays & Wednesdays from 1-4pm - Meadow Lake, Northwest Friendship Centre - Event Page
Saskatchewan Writers Guild Events
Wordsongs of a Warrior - February 7 – 12pm-1pm SK time – Online via Zoom – Event Page
What do our Traditional Stories tell us? - February 14 – 12pm-1pm SK time – Online via Zoom – Event Page
Underneath the Myth of Canadian History - February 21 – 12pm-1pm SK time – Online via Zoom – Event Page
Reclaiming Storytelling - February 28 – 12pm-1pm SK time – Online via Zoom – Event Page
Library Events:
For 20+ years, the Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling Month project has been hosted by the Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples committee. The goals of SAS Month are:
To support and promote First Nations, Metis & Inuit oral storytelling traditions in Saskatchewan
To celebrate First Nations, Metis & Inuit history, language & culture
To promote cross-cultural relationships and understanding by promoting storytelling as an important foundational cultural activity
To facilitate and grow a living oral storytelling collection
To share the vision of the LSSAP Committee: Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples collaborates through partnerships to enrich communities by promoting and improving library services for Aboriginal peoples.
Learn more at https://www.lssap.ca/sas2024
The Regina Public Library will be hosting a number of Indigenous Storytelling events geared toward children and youth of various age groups throughout the month of February. These events will take place online via Zoom, and will feature a variety of storytellers including: Dickie Yuzicapi, Rhonda Donais, Melissa Worme, Hazel Dixon, Solomon Ratt, and Leah Dorion. Visit their website for specific dates and details.
The RPL is also welcoming Dickie Yuzicapi as their first Indigenous Storyteller in Residence. His 10-week residency will provide the community an opportunity to access Indigenous traditional knowledge, worldview, and history through the art of storytelling. Learn more.
The Saskatoon Public Library presents Write Your Own Love Poem, February 25 2-4pm at the Frances Morrison Central Library. With USask Library Indigenous Storyteller in Residence, Tenille K Campbell. In this two-hour workshop, you will create love poems that reflect your unique voices and experiences in a safe and open environment. Be ready to laugh, giggle and write the afternoon away, focusing on love, joy and friendship. This workshop was designed for women and genderqueer or two-spirit people. Learn more.
Other library events:
Artist and Activist Danii Kehler – February 2 – 10-11am – Weyburn Public Library - https://www.lssap.ca/sas2024/weyburn
Mini Art and Storytelling Workshops – Feb 6 – 7-8:30pm – Prince Albert Library – https://princealbertlibrary.ca/events-calendar
Youth Connect: Indigenous Teachings - Feb 7 - 5:30-8pm - Community Commons, Regina Public Library - Event Page
An Evening with Floyd Favel: Documentary Ashes to Embers followed by discussion - February 7 - 7pm - Meadow Lake Library - Event Page
An Afternoon of Metis Music & Culture with Lucas Welsh - Feb 10 - 2-3pm - Meadow Lake Library - Event Page
Decolonize YQR – Indigenous Humour: A Pathway to Healing – Feb 13 – 7-8:30pm – Online via Zoom
Youth Connect: Indigenous Teachings - Feb 14 - 5:30-8pm - Community Commons, Regina Public Library - Event Page
An Evening of Indigenous Storytelling, Song, and Dance - Feb 15 - 7pm - La Ronge, Alex Robertson Public Library - Link to more details
Storytelling with Metis Knowledge Keeper Irma Klyne - Feb 16 - 1-2pm - Balgonie Public Library - Event Page
Storytelling with Curtis Peeteetuce - Feb 19 - 7-8pm - North Battleford Public Library - Event Page
Storytelling session with Francis (Dickie) Yuzicapi - Feb 20 - 10-11am - Mossbank Library - Event Page
Métis Knowledge Keeper Irma Klyne - Feb 20 - 1-2pm - Vibank Public Library - Event Page
Storytelling session with Francis (Dickie) Yuzicapi - Feb 20 - 2-3pm - Assiniboia Library - Event Page
A Day with Richard Van Camp – Feb 21 – 11am-6pm – North Battleford Public Library - https://www.facebook.com/events/374907991901793?ref=newsfeed
Beading and Teachings with Amy Constant and Elder Shirley Sanderson - Feb 21 - 6-9pm - Melfort Public Library - Event Page
Youth Connect: Indigenous Teachings - Feb 21 - 5:30-8pm - Community Commons, Regina Public Library - Event Page
Tales from a Trapper: An Evening with Duane Iron - Feb 22 - 7pm - Meadow Lake Library - Event Page
Artist & Activist Danielle Kehler - Feb 26 - 11am-12pm - Whitewood Public Library - Event Page
Kim Soo Goodtrack - Feb 27 - 1-2pm - Chinook Regional Library - Event Page
Storytelling & Author Visit with Heather O'Watch - Feb 28 - 1:15-2:15pm - Carnduff Public Library - Event Page
Alexandra Jarrett - Feb 28 - 2-3pm - Blaine Lake Public Library - Event Page
Youth Connect: Indigenous Teachings - Feb 28 - 5:30-8pm - Community Commons, Regina Public Library - Event Page
LSSAP - ᒪᐦᐃᐦᑲᐣ mahihkanak Dance Troup - Feb 29 - 1:10-2:25pm - Online - Event Page
Art Gallery Events
Storytelling on Sundays – every Sunday in February - 2:30pm - Cameco Learning Studio, Remai Modern, Saskatoon – Event Page
Aboriginal Storytelling Presentation with Lyndon Linklater (grades 4-12) – February 1 – 1:30-2:30pm - Humboldt Gallery, Humboldt – Event Page
Aboriginal Storytelling Presentation with Lyndon Linklater – February 1 – 6:30-8pm – Humboldt Gallery, Humboldt – Event Page
Frost Festival
Elder Storytelling – January 28 – All Day - Queen Elizabeth II West Lawn, Regina
Elder Storytelling – February 3 – All Day - Queen Elizabeth II West Lawn, Regina
Indigenous Art Teaching – February 3 – 1pm-4pm - Queen Elizabeth II West Lawn, Regina
Indigenous Hand Games and Traditional Stick Games with Creative City Centre – February 3 – 2-4pm – Warming Lodge, Pat Fiacco Plaza, Regina
Elder Storytelling – February 4 – All Day - Queen Elizabeth II West Lawn, Regina
Learn more at https://frostregina.com/schedule/
Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre
To celebrate First Nations oral traditions, cultural teachings, and traditional stories, the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre is hosting a virtual storytelling event for schools across Saskatchewan. Featured storytellers and artists this year are:
Carol Estralshenen (Recommended for: All ages)
Lyndon Linklater (Recommended for: High-school students; Post-secondary students)
Storytelling sessions are pre-recorded and will be available to view online throughout the entire month of February. Instructors can register for virtual storytelling sessions here: https://www.sicc.sk.ca/
Sask Polytechnic
Storytelling with Jason Chamakese – February 1 – 11am-12pm – Prince Albert Campus - Event Page
Storytelling with Cheyenna Sapp – February 1 – 11am-12pm – Saskatoon Campus - Event Page
Storytelling with Carol Rose GoldenEagle – February 1 – 12:30-1:30pm – Regina Campus - Event Page
Storytelling with Cheyenna Sapp – February 1 – 2-3pm – Saskatoon Campus - Event Page
Virtual Storytelling with Tristan Durocher – February 6 – 11am-12pm – Online - Event Page
Storytelling with Marie-Anne Daywalker Pelletier – February 13 – 10:25-11:30am – Moose Jaw Campus - Event Page
