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Read more about "Business & Investing"Flowers for My Ancestors: A Métis Story Sarah Houle Seton Library (2021) In this ceramic printing on glass, the artist honours the story of her great-grandparents. Floral motifs take the place of their features to represent the Métis as “the flower beadwork people.” A slideshow of digital art and photographs outlines their story with an accompanying soundtrack by Sarah's band, Cîpayak ᒌᐸᕀ. This artwork reflects on the journey of her ancestors and parallels Houle’s own story of setting down roots in Calgary, Mohkinstsis, with its existing rich Métis history. Louis Houle was a young man and about the best violin player in town. He played at all the dances. That is where I used to see him. I never really met him. He said to someone, ‘There's the girl I'm going to marry.’ Louis was a trapper and Emilie the mother of eight children.” — Excerpt from an article written by Emilie Houle, in the Athabasca newspaper About the Artist Sarah Houle is a multidisciplinary Métis artist based in Calgary, Mohkinstsis. She is from the Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement in Northern Alberta. Her work is autobiographical with an interest in technology, fantasy, and craft. Cultural identity in the age of digital technology is important in her work, as elements of physical and digital space come together to conjure nostalgic imagery. Modern-day fantastical legends express the artist’s social commentary on identity from the perspective of Métis culture and heritage. Centering on family, Houle’s work showcases the resiliency present in everyday Indigenous life.
Read more about "Flowers for My Ancestors: A Métis Story"Over four frigid days in December 2017, people gathered in the John Dutton Theatre at Central Library for Creation Lodge, listening as Elders Jerry and Jo-Ann Saddleback warmly shared Cree creation stories.Creation Lodge is about “reclaiming our way of life, one story at a time,” said organizer William Bellegarde, an Assiniboine Cree man from Saskatchewan who lives in Calgary. A small group of people, including Bellegarde, started Creation Lodge in Calgary in the fall of 2016.The events aim to fill a void. Many Indigenous people do not know their creation story, Bellegarde said, or they only know pieces. But such stories are foundational, filled with values and learning.“They’re so important, because those stories have a way of governing family, politics, so many things. But we’re missing them,” Bellegarde said. “We want to bring creation stories back into the fold.”The grassroots events are hosted at various venues and intended for anyone, with special efforts made to reach people who are homeless.At each Creation Lodge, a story keeper tells oral stories over multiple days. The audience members simply listen; there are no videos, sound effects, or distractions. “When you hear the story you create the pictures, you create the imagery based on what you know,” Bellegarde said. “You become actively involved by listening.”At the free drop-in Creation Lodge program at Central Library Dec 27 - 30, 2017, Elder Jerry Saddleback spoke animatedly and at length. Saddleback, a member of the Samson Cree Nation in Maskwacis, Alberta, recited far-reaching stories to a rapt audience, shared his profound knowledge on Cree history and traditions, and taught Cree words.The rich days of learning were intended to give people a “holistic perspective,” Saddleback said. “I’m hoping and praying that the younger generation will pick up on it, and I’m confident that they are. Many are sitting here today, and I’m very thankful for that,” he told the audience.Creation Lodge has garnered positive feedback, from both the storytellers sharing teachings and the people coming to listen, Bellegarde said.For non-Indigenous people, Creation Lodge offers a powerful opportunity to hear and recognize stories that have long been pushed aside, under past government policies of assimilation. “It’s important for reconciliation, and it’s important for one culture’s religious beliefs not dominating another’s,” Bellegarde said.He’s also heard from Indigenous people who describe Creation Lodge as “like going home.” “That really means a lot to me,” he said. “In terms of my worldview, home is a bigger thing. It means family, it means community, it means connection.”Bellegarde continues to work alongside a small steering committee, aiming to bring Creation Lodge to more people. There’s an appetite, he said, and a growing recognition of the power of story — to root people and connect them.“People are hungry,” Bellegarde said. “They want to hear more.”
Read more about "Stories Creation Lodge Gives Voice to Missing Stories"Choose your hero, collect gems and defeat enemies while learning to code.
Read more about "CodeCombat"A Library card is good for more than just books. Your free membership gives you access to a number of streaming services and online materials. When you get your Library card, you can save on these subscriptions: Do you subscribe to Netflix, Hulu, or Amazon Video? Try Kanopy instead. Stream up to 10 free movies and TV shows per month. Plus, with the newly added Kanopy Kids, you can easily find age-appropriate programming for your kids to watch. You might end up reconsidering your subscriptions to Spotify, Apple Music, or Amazon Prime Music after you try Freegal Music. Freegal Music will have you jamming at work and the weekends; listen to three hours of music per day and download up to five songs per week. Unlimited eBooks are available with more than Kindle Unlimited. Use Libby, your library on-the-go, to download more than 50,000 titles. Read eBooks or listen to eAudiobooks for free on your device. Subscribe to Audible? Again, see Libby. She’s the best friend you never knew you needed. Love staying-up-to-date on the world around you with The Globe and Mail, National Geographic, or The Economist? You can, for free, with your Library card. Access your favourite magazines and newspapers online with Flipster Magazines and PressReader. Love flipping through Vogue or Cosmopolitan? Stay in the know on upcoming trends and celebrities with Libby, where you can read current issues of thousands of magazines from around the world. Your total monthly savings: $73.94. Make the switch today.
Read more about "Stories Six Subscriptions You Can Save On With a Library Card"Reptiles and amphibians have some of the most unique lifecycles of any animals on earth! Join us for a fun look at the lives of our cold-blooded friends.
Read more about "Reptile Lifecycles (Ages 6 - 12)"Come join the Library for play, photography, and picture taking skills with your family. For parents with children 0-5 years (siblings may also attend).
Read more about "Photovoices - Photography, Play & Fun!"Shreela Chakrabartty, Movie Director, will share the migrant experience of some of these early pioneers to Alberta. She will be joined by Lisa Hari, a descendant of Harnam Singh...
Read more about "Historic Calgary Week: Remembering The Punjabi Pioneers"The award-winning film, “CARL’S WAY,” about Scandia pioneer Carl Anderson, shows the creativity and resilience of rural people in overcoming the economic devastation of the...
Read more about "Historic Calgary Week: Eastern Irrigation District – “CARL’S WAY”"Christ Church Archives strives to be a dynamic, exciting and vital part of its community. Past projects included recording oral history, and researching stained glass windows. To...
Read more about "Historic Calgary Week: Integrating Archives and Community at Christ Church Elbow Park"Let your imagination fly high as we guide you through the steps to draw your own superhero. We’ll begin with the classic triangular super-hero shaped figure, then work together...
Read more about "Draw! – Create Your Own Superhero Figure (Ages 6 - 12)"Storytelling around the campfire is a part of the human experience. Discover how traditional folktales from the oral tradition can guide you in creating, telling and performing...
Read more about "2022 Storyteller in Residence – Telling Tales Around the Campfire"The second volume of Adel Ben-Harhara’s To Have Nothing series continues with Hope in the Sky. Join us to celebrate the launch of this inspiring tale of perseverance and survival...
Read more about "Book launch: Hope in the Sky"This 75-minute conversation, hosted by Richard Kelly Kemick, includes an audience Q&A and book signing. Bring copies of Johnston's invaluable back list, including 2021's The...
Read more about "IMAGINARIUM by wordfest: An Evening with Wayne Johnston"Join us for a wonderful family Storytime and an amazing opportunity to hear David A. Robertson read On the Trapline, which won the 2021 Governor General's Literary Award for Young...
Read more about "IMAGINARIUM by wordfest: Family Storytime with David A. Robertson"