Aboriginal Writers' Retreat

Spring Valley Guest Ranch
August 25-28, 2011

The first Aboriginal Writers’ Retreat took place on August 25th to the 28th at the Spring Valley Guest Ranch.

Adequate interaction within the months of June and July had taken place between Aboriginal Program Coordinator Aaron Tootoosis and the Aboriginal members of the SWG. The planning stages of the retreat had come and gone and it was up to the participating members to rendezvous at the Spring Valley Guest Ranch. The time of arrival at the ranch was between 3:00 pm and 4:00 pm on Thursday, August 25th.

Elder Gordon Francis from the Nekaneet First Nation delivered an opening prayer once the introductions had taken place. Ranch owner, Jim Saville, prepared supper that evening and also prepared all meals throughout the retreat.    

First Nations University of Canada’s Dr. Jesse Archibald-Barber was Facilitating the retreat. He began his academic career at the FNUniv (formerly S.I.F.C) where he ventured out to the University of Victoria where he completed his BA in English. He then became a grad student at the University of Toronto eventually earning his PhD. His name appears in many published articles in the International Journal of Canadian Studies and the Canadian Journal of Native Studies, and in books such as Representations of Self and Other and Thomas King: Works and Impacts. Aside from academic writing, he has turned his focus onto creative writing where he will be compiling short stories and poems for publication. Dr. Archibald-Barber has been teaching English and creative writing at FNUniv for the last four years.

Sponsors of the Retreat: