A Kamsack woman is involved with events being held this month in recognition of February being Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling Month.
As a family literacy co-ordinator for Parkland Library, which is hosting events in the Parkland region this month, Carol Marriott of Kamsack is busy organizing activities at several district First Nation schools, at Wadena, Quill Lake, Kelvington and Melville.
Events will take place throughout the province, showcasing the lives, histories, practices and cultures of Aboriginal people and performers, Marriott said. The main presenter for the month’s celebrations is the Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples committee.
“Storytelling is at the heart of First Nations and Métis experiences,” said Jim Reiter, minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs. “Through stories, song and performance, participants will be sharing the rich traditions of indigenous people with the entire province.”
Brad Bellegarde (aka InfoRed) is a CBC Future 40 award recipient and Neechie Gear Role Model, Marriott said. InfoRed has rocked the microphone across Turtle Island and has been a featured artist at events such as the 2014 North American Indigenous Games, Aboriginal Music Week in Manitoba, APTN’s Aboriginal Day Live and Vancouver’s Olympic Games celebrations.
Bellegarde is a Nakota/Cree member of the Little Black Bear First Nation who calls Regina home, she said. “A true believer that education is the new buffalo,” his work in schools gave him a unique opportunity to present his methods of education at the VIII International Conference of Intercultural Education in Indigenous Contexts in Temuco, Chile.
In the professional world, Bellegarde is also a storyteller and a journalist and has had articles published by the Toronto Star, Ottawa Citizen, National Post and the Globe and Mail.
As a performer, InfoRed was invited to perform for His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall during their Royal visit in 2012.
