The University Library at the University of Saskatchewan is seeking expressions of interest from Indigenous artists and storytellers to become the library's fifth Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence. The Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence is a flexible, part-time residency slated to run for 8-12 weeks beginning in February 2025 at the University Library (exact start date to be determined in consultation with the Storyteller). Note that this is a paid position of up to $12,000.
The Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence program has two primary objectives:
- To create and participate in programming designed to promote intercultural understanding and story-sharing between and among Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. While this will occur primarily at the University of Saskatchewan, there may also be opportunities to deliver programming to community audiences primarily through a partnership with the Saskatoon Public Library.
- To provide time and space for the development of the Storyteller’s own creative storytelling practice.
The residency, which can operate in a hybrid format, will require the presentation of a project during the university’s Indigenous Achievement Week usually held in March.
Timeframe:
- The residency offers a flexible time commitment. It will begin in February 2025 and is anticipated to last between 8–12 weeks depending on the Storyteller’s availability. It is expected to encompass Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling Month (February) and the University of Saskatchewan’s Indigenous Achievement Week (March).
Expectations and Outcomes:
- Commit to approximately 8-10 hrs/week over an 8-to-12-week period.
- Participate in a facilitated discussion for University Library employees.
- Deliver at least one project/performance as part of the university’s Indigenous Achievement Week usually held in March.
- Engage with community audiences primarily through a Saskatoon Public Library partnership.
- Submit a final report (written or verbal) reflecting on the residency experience.
Additional engagement with campus/community audiences is encouraged, but not required. Preference will be given to storytellers with ties to the University of Saskatchewan community.
To submit an Expression of Interest, please send your resume/CV, along with a covering letter explaining how you might approach the residency to deans.support@usask.ca. To find out more about the Indigenous Storyteller-in-Residence program, please contact Sheila Laroque at sheila.laroque@usask.ca or call 306-966-7262.
To learn more about our previous storytellers and their projects see here: https://library.usask.ca/ISIR/
The deadline for submissions is Friday, October 18, 2024.
The University of Saskatchewan is committed to employment equity and diversity and is proud to support career opportunities for Indigenous people. Indigenous Membership/Citizenship, subject to verification with documentation, is a condition of holding the contract.