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Indigenous Storyteller in Residence

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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.

  • 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.

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events for this program. Please check back.

Watch Current Storyteller Event Replays

Opening Event with Joseph Kakwinokanasum, 2024 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence

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Indigenous Storyteller in Residence Finale

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Watch Past Storyteller Event Replays

Introducing Les George: 2023 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence

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Kalup George: Keeping the Language

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Les George: Virtual Field Trip

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Tsleil-Waututh Teaching and Traditions: Regalia

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Tsleil-Waututh Teaching and Traditions: Drums

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Coast Salish Anthem

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Story of Waut-Salk

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Story Stream: Les George

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Les George: Indigenous Storyteller in Residence Finale

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Sam George Jr: Truth Comes Before Reconciliation

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Introducing Eden Fine Day: 2022 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence

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Eden Fine Day Virtual School Visit

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nēhiyawēwin: Indigenous Language Revitalization with Elder Dorothy Visser

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Decolonizing the Media with Kelsie Kilawna of IndigiNews

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Introducing Kung Jaadee: 2021 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence

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Haida songs and stories with Kung Jaadee

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The Body Song (Haida/English)

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I Love You Song (Haida/English

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You Are My Sunshine (Haida/English)

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Past Storytellers in Residence