Across Saskatchewan in February 2020, over 150 libraries, schools and organizations will host Aboriginal storytelling events.

Since 2004, the Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples, Inc. (LSSAP) Committee has taken the initiative to offer Indigenous traditional oral storytelling events to all people of Saskatchewan. The membership of LSSAP is open to persons, of all cultural affiliations, involved in the provision of or access to library services for Aboriginal peoples in the province of Saskatchewan. The LSSAP Committee was established in 1991 with a provincial mandate to share information and act on issues related to library services for First Nations and Métis peoples.

In 2018 there were 14,556 participants that attended 394 storytelling sessions with 74 storytellers, resource people and Elders who brought First Nations & Metis teachings, culture and entertainment through a diverse variety of telling storytelling experiences.

According to LSSAP the winter timing for Aboriginal Storytelling observes the First Nations traditional time for storytelling. The intent is to increase province-wide cultural activity levels of Aboriginal peoples; have Elders and Aboriginal storytellers demonstrate the cultural and historical value of storytelling; and foster storytelling partnerships through joint planning with outside agencies and resources. The project involves schools, libraries, local agencies, universities, colleges and Aboriginal based organizations.

On February 1, there will be a launch for the 17th Annual Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling 2020, which will hosted this year by the Maple Creek Branch Library and the Chinook Regional Library System. 

To close off the month long festival of storytelling, the LSSAP Committee will host an opportunity for storytellers to grow their craft. This is a workshop that will invite all Saskatchewan based storytellers to bring with them a new or emerging storyteller to this event that will provide everyone with an occasion to share stories, learn how to present stories to audiences and celebrate the honourable tradition of Indigenous oral storytelling.

For more information and a complete list of all the participating organizations, visit the LSSAP Storytelling 2020 page.