Cherie Dimaline has been named Toronto Public Library’s first Writer in Residence – Aboriginal Experience, with a focus on exploring and celebrating the Aboriginal experience in Canada. She will take up a four month residency at North York Central Library from March to June 2015.
“Cherie’s appointment reflects a strong and growing commitment to storytelling in the Aboriginal voice, supporting the Library’s role in nurturing and building on the rich legacy of oral histories and traditions associated with Toronto’s past.” said City Librarian Vickery Bowles.
Cherie Dimaline will share her plans for the residency at a public event on Saturday, March 7 at 3:00 pm in the North York Central Library auditorium. Attending guests include the Honourable David Zimmer, MPP for Willowdale and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, and Deborah Richardson, Deputy Minister for the Ontario Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs.
Stephanie Pangowish and Josh Smoke, traditional drummers and singers, will perform at the event, with readings from novelist Lee Maracle and poet Giles Benaway.
During her four month residency, Dimaline will meet individually with aspiring writers to review submitted manuscripts and lead a series of panel discussions and workshops. The workshops will explore topics such as the importance of Indigenous storytelling and the challenges and resources for multicultural Toronto writers and poets. Writers will also have an opportunity to learn more about grants and public reading.
Dimaline’s residency will usher in a month of Aboriginal programming at the library in June 2015 that will celebrate Aboriginal culture in film, music, art, dance and literature at branches across the city. It will also serve as a public forum for issues of national interest, including a panel on Canada’s missing and murdered Aboriginal women hosted by the CBC’s Michael Enright.
The theme for June’s programming, developed by Cherie Dimaline, is Giganawendamin Dibaajimowinan. We Keep the Stories.
Cherie Dimaline is an author and editor from the Georgian Bay Métis community, who was named the 2014 Emerging Artist of the Year, Ontario Premier’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts. Her first book, a collection of short stories, Red Rooms, was published in 2007 and won the Anskohk Fiction Book of the Year Award. Her novel, The Girl Who Grew a Galaxy, published in 2013, was shortlisted for the 2014 Burt Award. She is the editor of both FNH Magazine, opens a new window and Muskrat Magazine, opens a new window.
For further information, please contact:
Greg Kelner
gkelner@torontopubliclibrary.ca
416-395-5648
Yvonne Hunter
yhunter@torontopubliclibrary.ca
416-393-7098
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Toronto Public Library acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts for this program.