Hi all!
I’m adding this short post to share a positive experience with Key, Linda and Sadaf on March 15th at First Peoples House. When the UVic Alumni Association advertised this event with Richard van Camp, as two unforgettable storytelling sessions they weren’t kidding! What an amazing speaker and storyteller! The audience went back and forth from laughing loudly to being quiet and reflective as we listened to the stories he shared. So grateful to Kim for sharing the brochure and I sincerely hope you all get a chance to take in one of Richard’s events on campus before his tenure is done, as UVic’s 2024/2025 Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence.
March 15th Storytelling Sessions:
10 a.m. – 11 a.m.: Storytime for little ones at First Peoples House A special session where Richard will read from his beloved children's books, including Kiss by Kiss, May We Have Enough to Share, We Sang You Home and Little You. These stories celebrate the beauty of childhood with themes of love, connection and belonging. Alumni with young children and local community members are invited to register for this session.
12 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.: A Deep Dive into Indigenous Storytelling Richard will showcase a variety of his novels and explore the vital role of storytelling in Indigenous cultures. This session will also include an exclusive screening of Inkwo for When the Starving Return, a stop-motion animated short directed by Amanda Strong and co-written by Richard, based on his short story Wheetago War, from the collection, Night Moves. The film is presented with the support of Spotted Fawn Productions and the National Film Board of Canada and has been selected for the 2025 Sundance and 2024 Toronto International Film Festivals. We encourage alumni, students, faculty, staff and community members to attend. Please be aware that the film is intended for mature audiences, and it is recommended for viewers ages 16 and older.
Here’s a link to a short video (6 min 12 second) of Richard van Camp (2020) sharing a story, to give you a sense of his gifts as a storyteller and speaker: Contemporary Indigenous Storytelling by Fort Smith, NWT, Tlicho Dene Storyteller Richard Van Camp
If you get a chance, I highly recommend checking out his NFB collaborative stop-motion animated film If you get a chance, I look forward to watching Inkwo for When the Starving Return. (sure it is available to watch through UVic Libraries, if not available through the NFB website itself).
With gratitude for this fabulous day!