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The results of the first annual Aboriginal Storytelling Week have far exceeded the expectations of the Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples’ committee and Parkland Regional Library.  The committee initially targeted 8 communities: La Ronge, Air Ronge, Saskatoon, Regina, North Battleford, Yorkton, Muskoday First Nation, and Beardy First Nation to start the event this year.  Instead 18 communities:  Air Ronge, Assiniboia, Beardy, Broadview, Canora, Fort Qu’Appelle, Kamsack, Kelvington, Kelliher, North Battleford (Public Library, Sakewew High School, St Mary’s Community School), Pelican Narrows, Muskaday, Moose Jaw, Regina (Public Library, First Nations University of Canada), Saskatoon, Sweetgrass, Watson and Yorkton hosted events at 21 locations.  2,813 people attended programs that ran from 45 minutes to weeklong events (Pelican Narrows). 

Information about Storytelling Week was promoted through various means posters, bookmarks, on library websites at http://www.lib.sk.ca/staff/lssap/storyweek04.html, radio (MBC) - in both Cree and English, television, a press release, local papers, and school newsletters.                                                     

The objectives of Aboriginal Storytelling Week were to:  establish a province wide Aboriginal Storytelling Week in February; establish a province wide committee with aboriginal participation to develop Storytelling Week; increase province-wide cultural activity levels of Aboriginal people; have Elders and aboriginal storytellers demonstrate the cultural and historical value of storytelling; foster storytelling partnerships through joint planning with outside agencies and resources.  Twenty-one locations held storytelling events in which 2,813 people participated.  Each event was well attended:  Pelican Narrows - 400, Beardy - 300, Regina - 300, Air Ronge - 211, Canora - 200, Fort Qu’Appelle -380,Yorkton -156, Watson -110, Kelvington - 100, Lakeland Region - 100, Moose Jaw -100, Broadview - 90, Kamsack - 84, Kelliher - 71, Assiniboia - 60, Muskaday - 35, Saskatoon - 16.  Attendance in Saskatoon, Kelliher and Assiniboia would have been higher except for extremely bad weather.  Assiniboia and Kelliher rescheduled events and lost a number of classes who were scheduled to attend earlier date.  Aboriginal participation occurred in the planning (LSSAP committee members), programming (storytellers) and attendance (schools, community).  Over 30 storytellers participated in Aboriginal storytelling Week including 8 elders at the Senator Myles Venne School Public Library in Air Ronge storytelling event; Elder Littletent and Elder Pelletier told stories in Yorkton and Elder McKenna provided two storytelling sessions for Moose Jaw.  A High level of community support was evident in all locations.  Pelican Narrows held a weeklong series of storytelling events, 15 participants shared stories and legends in Air Ronge.  Feasts and storytelling events were held at a number of locations including Beardy and Regina.   School participation was high in all locations, except for Saskatoon where an evening event was scheduled. 

Media coverage was good and included newspapers (Canora Courier, Kamsack Times, News Review, Leader Post), television (CTV, Global, and Access Communications).    Access Communications has shown portions of the event held in North Battleford.  Videotapes have been made of events held in Regina, North Battleford and La Ronger.  Libraries and schools worked together to promote and host events: for example in Kelvington the local school hosted the storyteller’s visit.    

The feedback on reports from libraries that participated has been overwhelming positive; all would definitely participate again. 

Deirdre Crichton
Library Director, Parkland Regional Library System
Member, Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples Committee

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