Saturday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m.
Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall
University of Winnipeg (515 Portage Avenue)
Admission is free. All are welcome to attend.
WINNIPEG – In Aboriginal culture, teachings are passed from generation to generation in a rich tradition of storytelling. Join the University of Winnipeg’s Centre for Rupert’s Land Studies as they welcome Louis Bird, Aboriginal scholar and storyteller.
As part of the Omushkego Oral History Project, Bird will share – in Cree and in English – a sampling of the stories of the Omushkegowak or “Swampy Cree” people of the Hudson and James Bay Lowlands of northern Manitoba and Ontario.
Bird is from Peawanuck Ontario and has shared his stories with audiences throughout Canada, the United States, and Europe. In addition to performing traditional Cree legends, mystery stories, and oral history, Bird has devoted three decades to documenting Cree oral traditions. He began making audiotape recordings of the stories told by his elders in 1965. Today, his collection comprises more than 340 hours of material – the largest extant collection of such recordings.
The Omushkego Oral History Project provides a unique opportunity to create a world-class digital archive and website – a permanent record of Swampy Cree teachings. This project has been made possible through the generosity of Canadian Heritage, the University of Winnipeg, Nishinawbe Aski Nation, the North West Company, and other community donors.
A formal launch of the website and archive that will make these recordings available on the worldwide web is scheduled to take place in late April 2003.
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For further information, please contact Katherine Unruh, Director of Communications at 204.786.9872. For an interview with Louis Bird, please call 204.786.9003 or 204.942.0171.
