Tapwe!

This weekend the first-ever Tâpwê! Indigenous Writers Gathering was held at the University of Alberta. Through the many fascinating and moving stories, poems and talks, it was reaffirmed that stories and storytelling are not dead or dying art forms, they are vital and vibrant cultural wealth that is very much alive, and being passed from one generation to the next. ("Tapwe" is a Cree word meaning "It is so.")

The weekend’s events were hosted by Edmonton Poet Laureate

Anna Marie Sewell

and featured authors

 Michael Arvaarluk Kusugak

Duncan Mercredi and Taqralik Partridge

Sharron Proulx-Turner and Richard Van Camp

Christine Stewart introducing the "Arc of Indigenous Literature" panel 

Keavy Martin and Richard van Camp drawing names for the book giveaway

Part of the sharing circle getting ready to share some of their workshop writing

The Tapwe! writers, Edmonton, March 31 2012


Thank you to all the authors, and to the students who participated in the workshops and read from their work in the sharing circle! Thanks as well to Dean Leslie Cormack for her introductory remarks, to elder Rose Marshal, and to our sponsors


Department of English and Film Studies
Writer in Residence Program
Office of the Provost
Alberta Foundation for the Arts
Faculty of Arts
Grant McEwan University
Faculty of Native Studies
Canadian Literature Centre
Audrey’s Books