Niigan Sinclair Headlines in Assiniboine’s Storytelling Week

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Assiniboine Community College presents its inaugural Storytelling Week from December 7 to 11, featuring a series of free digital activities, open to students and the general public. The storytelling sessions will be led by Elders from a range of Indigenous nations, who will highlight significant cultural stories and the teachings derived through story within their nations.

“The purpose of this week’s events is to both rekindle and come to new understandings about our connection with storytelling traditions,” said Kris Desjarlais, Director of Indigenous Education at Assiniboine.

This week aims to celebrate the value of Indigenous oral traditions – both as a form of cultural teaching and a vehicle for knowledge to pass from generation to generation.

Guest speaker, Dr. Niigaan Sinclair, will present on Thursday December 10, and will speak to historical and contemporary issues in treaty relations and reconciliation. Dr. Sinclair, an Anishinaabe from St. Peter's/Little Peguis, is an Assistant Professor at the University of Manitoba, a regular commentator on Indigenous issues for CTV, CBC, and APTN, as well as an award-winning columnist for the Winnipeg Free Press.

“We are honoured to be joined by Dr. Sinclair this week. His keen perspective on Indigenous issues, both historical and current, will be sure to engage and enlighten all of us,” said Desjarlais.

Desjarlais points to an interesting parallel between the traditional season for much Indigenous story practice and the current realities under COVID-19 restrictions. “Many of our stories were traditionally shared in the winter. As days grew shorter, we gathered to share wisdom with family and community. Just like today,” Desjarlais added, “it was a time of hunkering down.”

The sessions, held daily on Zoom from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., will be hosted by Indigenous Affairs staff with the exception of Dr. Sinclair’s presentation, which begins at 11:30am on Thursday. Anyone interested in joining Indigenous Storytelling Week must register online via assiniboine.net/storyweek.

Date (December 7 to 11) Time Speaker Registration
Monday 12 to 1 p.m. Gerry Oleman – St’at’imc Nation Register Now
Tuesday 12 to 1 p.m. Elder Deborah Tacan – Cree Nation Register Now
Wednesday 12 to 1 p.m. Elder Shirley Norquay – Anishinaabe Nation Register Now
Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Niigaan Sinclair – Anishinaabe Nation Register Now
5 to 6 p.m. Elder Verna DeMontigny – Métis Nation Register Now
Friday 12 to 1 p.m. Elder Eugene Ross – Dakota Nation Register Now