Sâkêwêwak Storytellers Festival

Sâkêwêwak Artists’ Collective, Regina’s premier presenter of contemporary Aboriginal art, is pleased to announce the 2009 Sâkêwêwak Storytellers Festival.

First held in 2001 as the Distinguished Storytellers Series, the Sâkêwêwak Storytellers Festival has evolved into an annual multidisciplinary festival that presents a diverse array of renowned storytellers, artists, and academics from around the world, who engage our audiences in contemporary cultural expression, thought and dialogue derived from our oral traditions.

Opening the festival on the 18th of March at 8 PM at New Dance Horizons (2207 Harvey Street) is our music and spoken word event featuring local artists Ramses Calderon, Gabriel Yahyahkeekoot and others. On the 19th, we are pleased to present two brand new performance works – The Rebirthing Project by Cecile Brass, and Apple by Simon Moccasin. Both performances take place at New Dance Horizons, starting at 8 PM. Admission is free for all events on the 18th-19th.

Friday, March 20th features Picimawak - an evening of words and rhythm in a gathering of contemporary criers from the global camp brought together by festival music director Eekwol. Hear the true voices of well-known Indigenous rappers and poets from each of the four directions, including Urban Buffaloes (Hobbema First Nation/Vancouver BC), Skeena Reece (Vancouver BC), Wab Kinew (Winnipeg MB), and El Vuh (Los Angeles USA). The event begins at 7:30 PM at Reid Auditorium – Scott Collegiate. Suggested donation of $5.00.

Saturday March 21st features features My Life is My Sundance, a play based on the book of the same name written by Leonard Peltier, with Harvey Arden. The play begins at 7:30 PM at Reid Auditorium – Scott Collegiate. Suggested donation of $5.00.

Saturday the 21st and Sunday the 22nd feature day sessions held from 10 AM – 5 PM at the Regina Inn – Kenosee Room (1975 Broad Street). These day sessions feature presentations and roundtable discussions from our community’s most respected storytellers, traditional knowledge keepers, artists, activists and academics. Organized by Edward Poitras and Robin Brass. Admission for the weekend day sessions is free and lunch is provided.

For more detailed information – contact Elwood Jimmy at 780-9485 or Beverly Andrews at 780-9493 OR check out www.myspace.com/sakewewak, or our Facebook page. Both web pages will be updated daily leading up to the festival.