Participants in the Saskatchewan Festival of Words had an opportunity to hear readings from a trio of award-winning poets during the Saskatchewan Book Awards presentation on Saturday afternoon.
Leading things off was Moose Jaw’s own former Saskatchewan poet laureate Robert Currie, who read selections from his new anthology One-Way Ticket, shortlisted for the Poetry Award.
His six readings dealt with a variety of subjects, ranging from life as a youngster, dealing with the death of loved ones and battling certain ‘awakenings’ after watching a steamy movie as a teen.
The shortlisting was the latest honour for the accomplished author, with multiple awards won and his writing reaching the final selections for many prestigious awards over the years. Currie is also a founding member of the Festival of Words and has received the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Arts.
Carol GoldenEagle won the 2019 Saskatchewan Book Awards Prix du livre francais for her book of poetry Peau d’Ours and was shortlisted for the Indigenous Peoples Writing Award for Hiraeth.
After performing a First Nations song to open her presentation, GoldenEagle read a selection of poems from the latter book, including a tale about being caught in the 60’s Scoop and growing up outside of her culture before later meeting celebrated artist Allen Sapp, who left their meeting with the words ‘You Should Learn’ with regards to her native languages and heritage. GoldenEagle’s readings also included a poem to missing Indigenous girl Tamra Keepness and racism surrounding her loss, her first visit to a medicine man, and a prayer asking the creator for protection of her son’s Little Bear Spirit as he prepares to leave home.
The most-honoured presenter for 2019 was poet Randy Lundy, whose new book Blackbird Song was shortlisted for four awards and won two, the Indigenous Peoples’ Publishing Award and the overall Poetry Award.
His tales included those loved and lost due to addiction, memories of his father stemming from a fishing trip, and a poem based on the Japanese art of repairing ceramics known as kintsugi, only with a focus on repairing one’s soul after an immense loss.
The event concluded with a book signing in the Art Museum’s book shop.
