Indigenous Storyteller in Residence
The VPL Indigenous Storyteller in Residence program was created in 2008 in recognition of Indigenous Peoples in Canada and the importance of storytelling as a way to learn about and from Indigenous communities in Vancouver. Through the Storyteller in Residence, we seek to honour Indigenous cultures and to promote intercultural understanding and communication. Storytelling can happen through a variety of mediums and narrative practices, and therefore this residency is open to all Indigenous storytellers who wish to share their knowledge and history.
VPL recognizes that sincere action to decolonize our practices and to centre Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural practices is needed. The Indigenous Storyteller in Residence program is essential to the library's public programming.
The 2024 Storyteller in Residence is Joseph Kakwinokanasum.
-
Image
Joseph Kakwinokanasum
2024 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence
Joseph Kakwinokanasum is a member of the James Smith Cree Nation and grew up in the Peace region of northern B.C. His debut novel, My Indian Summer, is loosely based on his own childhood and was the winner of the 2023-2024 First Nations Communities READ Award and shortlisted for the 2023 ReLit Award for fiction. Other accolades include being named one of The Writers Trust of Canada’s Rising Stars of 2022 and a finalist for CBC’s Nonfiction Prize in 2020.
As storytellers, we honour our ancestors with the legends and tales passed down to us. No matter what culture you come from, storytelling has always been a social tool that builds community and understanding.
I believe that strength and honour are elemental when it comes to storytelling, and that storytelling is a way to gain personal power. I'm looking forward to working with the community to help others discover this power and share their stories.
In his role as the Indigenous Storyteller in Residence, Kakwinokanasum will spend part of his time developing a new writing project – a dark, gritty, horror fantasy that builds upon some of the Indigenous ghost stories he learned as a child. Kakwinokanasum also plans on hosting writing workshops, consults and events to support emerging writers and storytellers in developing their craft.
Contact Us
Upcoming Events
-
Indigenous Storyteller in Residence Joseph Kakwinokanasum offers one-on-one consultations to local writers in person at the Central Library. Joseph has expertise in fiction, memoir, poetry, short stories and creative nonfiction.
To request an appointment, email programs@vpl.ca with the subject line "Writing Consults with Joseph Kakwinokanasum" and the following information:
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Central Library -
Get to know other book lovers and explore the work of Joseph Kakwinokanasum and his 2022 novel My Indian Summer at this special VPL staff-led book club to celebrate the 2024 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence, with an appearance by the author himself
6:30pm – 8:00pm
Online event -
Indigenous Storyteller in Residence Joseph Kakwinokanasum offers one-on-one consultations to local writers in person at the Central Library. Joseph has expertise in fiction, memoir, poetry, short stories and creative nonfiction.
To request an appointment, email programs@vpl.ca with the subject line "Writing Consults with Joseph Kakwinokanasum" and the following information:
2:00pm – 4:00pm
Central Library
Watch Current Storyteller Event Replays
Watch Past Storyteller Event Replays
Introducing Les George: 2023 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence
Kalup George: Keeping the Language
Les George: Virtual Field Trip
Tsleil-Waututh Teaching and Traditions: Regalia
Tsleil-Waututh Teaching and Traditions: Drums
Coast Salish Anthem
Story of Waut-Salk
Story Stream: Les George
Les George: Indigenous Storyteller in Residence Finale
Sam George Jr: Truth Comes Before Reconciliation
Introducing Eden Fine Day: 2022 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence
Eden Fine Day Virtual School Visit
nēhiyawēwin: Indigenous Language Revitalization with Elder Dorothy Visser
Decolonizing the Media with Kelsie Kilawna of IndigiNews
Introducing Kung Jaadee: 2021 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence
Haida songs and stories with Kung Jaadee
The Body Song (Haida/English)
I Love You Song (Haida/English
You Are My Sunshine (Haida/English)
Indigenous Storyteller in Residence Booklist
Past Storytellers in Residence
-
Image
2023 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence
-
Image
2022 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence
-
Image
2021 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence
-
Image
2020 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence