2024 Storyteller

Tenille Campbell is the University Library Storyteller in Residence for 2024.

Tenille Campbell is an award-winning poet and has published two poetry books: #IndianLove: Poems (2017) and Nedí Nezų (Good Medicine) (2021), and a professional photographer as the owner of sweetmoon photography. Campbell has been described as a “Daughter of Northern Saskatchewan” with Dene and Métis roots and hails from English River First Nation, with ties to Batoche, Duck Lake and St. Louis. Currently, she resides in Saskatoon and is pursuing her doctorate in English at the University of Saskatchewan.

As a part of Campbell’s residency, she plans to focus on the themes of friendship and joy, through workshops on beading, photo portraits and self-love poetry. Learn more about Tenille Campbell and her work at tenillecampbell.com

Framing Community: Women’s Narratives Through Polaroids

Illustration of a vintage polaroid camera with flowers and text reading Indigenous Storyteller in Residence

Embark on a visual journey that explores the intersection of Polaroids, womanhood, and community in the new project by the Indigenous Storyteller in Residence Tenille K Campbell called "Framing Community." This initiative seeks to harness the unique storytelling power of instant photography to amplify the voices of women and marginalized individuals within our community. Participants will sit for a Polaroid portrait, capturing candid moments that reflect the diverse narratives of resilience, strength, and empowerment. Participants then will decorate the back of their portraits, based on four prompts leaning towards self-care, self-love, affirmation, and community awareness.

Our project aims to challenge societal norms and redefine the narrative surrounding women by providing a platform for self-expression through the intimate medium of Polaroid photography. By fostering a sense of community, participants will forge connections, share experiences, and collectively create a visual tapestry that celebrates the multifaceted nature of feminism. “Framing Community” not only highlights the beauty in individual stories but also underscores the collective strength found within our shared struggles, promoting unity and solidarity.

What You Do:
  • sit for a Polaroid portrait
  • decorate the back of your portrait with your favorite quote, a line from your favorite book, something you like about yourself, someone you admire, etc
  • sign your portrait with your name and your latest/current degree

The final project will be a series of Polaroids linked together, hung and displayed at a space on campus and will stand as a testament to the power of visual storytelling, showcasing the beauty found in the intersections of Polaroids, feminism, and the strength of our interconnected community.

Project drop-in hours in Murray Library Room 134:
  • Tues: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
  • Weds: 1:00 - 3:00 PM
  • Thurs: 1:00 - 3:00 PM

Past Storytellers

Bruce Sinclair

Bruce Sinclair

Lindsay Knight

Lindsay Knight, 2021 Indigenous Storyteller in Residence

Apply

The call for applications for the 2025 Storyteller-in-Residence will open in spring 2024.

To learn more about the Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence program, contact Luke Muller.