Cambrian College Hosts Inaugural Indigenous Arts Showcase
FROM: Cambrian College
SUDBURY, ON – There will be a homecoming of sorts when renowned author Richard Van Camp steps off the plane on October 15 and into the welcoming hands of Greater Sudbury. Van Camp, who hails from Fort Smith, NWT, was last in the nickel city to shoot The Lesser Blessed, a feature film about young love, new beginnings and old ghosts. Based on his novel of the same name, The Lesser Blessed premiered in 2012 at the Toronto International Film Festival, but October 15 marks the first time it will officially be screened in Sudbury. It won the best supporting actor award at the 2013 American Indian Film Festival and was nominated for best adapted screenplay at the Genie awards last year, as well as two awards at the Zlín International Film Festival for Children and Youth.
Van Camp’s visit is part of Cambrian College’s inaugural showcase of indigenous arts. The two-day event highlights film, poetry and storytelling, from the mouths and hearts of those with lived experience. On the first day, organizers will screen The Lesser Blessed, as well as several short films by indigenous filmmakers from across Canada. A Q&A on homelessness with Van Camp and George Stephen, the protagonist of one of the films, will follow the screenings.
On the second day, local wordsmiths – including present and past poet laureates Tom Leduc, Daniel Aubin and Roger Nash, as well as Max Silvertongue – converge on the College’s Open Studio for an evening of storytelling and poetry. There will also be an open mic. Van Camp will emcee both events and plans to perform on October 16.
Showcase details:
Dates: Wednesday, Oct. 15 and Thursday, Oct. 16
Hours: Doors open both nights at 7 p.m.
Where: The Open Studio, 93 Cedar St., suite 303
What: Day 1: film screenings, hosted by Richard Van Camp; Day 2: poetry and open mic, emceed by Van Camp
Renowned storyteller and poet Richard Van Camp is a member of the Dogrib (Tlicho) Nation from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. He holds a BFA in creative writing from the University of Victoria, as well as a Master’s degree in creative writing from the University of British Columbia. He is also a graduate of the En’owkin International School of Writing. Van Camp has penned an extensive list of books, including short stories; children’s and babies’ books; and comic books.
