An evening with Indigenous poets from Epekwitk
The UPEI Faculty of Indigenous Knowledge, Education, Research, and Applied Studies (IKERAS), the Faculty of Arts, and the English department, in collaboration with the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre, are sponsoring an evening of Indigenous poets from Epekwitk (PEI) reading selections from their poetry and conversing about their work as Indigenous writers. The event will take place at the Charlottetown Library Learning Centre on Queen Street at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, November 22.
Rita Joe, the renowned Cape Breton Mi’kmaq writer and “ambassador” for Indigenous people, who was often referred to as the “Poet Laureate of the Mi’kmaq people,” wrote, “My pride lives in my education, / And I will relate wonders to my people.”
The Epekwitk poets who will relate wonders to their audience are Julie Pellissier-Lush, writer, storyteller, actress, author of three books, and PEI's current Poet Laureate; Aleida Tweten, of Cree ancestry, an Islander since 2003, who offers equine-assisted services at her Hoofprints Ranch; Richard Pellissier-Lush, writer, actor, dancer, athlete, and community leader; Julia Grounds, of Cree ancestry from British Columbia and 2022 Island Literary Awards winner of first prize for poetry and the Indigenous Writing Award; Stephen Plouffe, a graduate of UPEI's English program, currently pursuing theological studies; and Julie Bull, a queer, non-binary Inuk poet, writer, multi-disciplinary artist, researcher, ethicist, and educator from Nunatukavut, currently based on Epekwitk. UPEI assistant professor David Varis, of the Peguis First Nation, will be the moderator.
Rita Joe wrote of her experience at a residential school, “I lost my talk / The talk you took away. / When I was a little girl / At Shubenacadie school.” She rediscovered her talk gloriously and profoundly. On November 22, these Epekwitk-based Indigenous poets of newer generations and of vibrant communities will share their talk, poems, and voices.
The public is invited to attend this event, and admission is free.
