August 11, 2005 for immediate release

One of the largest creative writing and aboriginalstorytelling festivals in Canadawill be held at UNBC starting in late September. The annual “Just West ofUnruly” creative writing festival will be expanded this year to include thesecond annual poetry train and the first UNBC Aboriginal Writers andStorytellers Festival.

Poetry Train– Prince George to Prince Rupertreturn. September 21-25

Five poets – Lee Maracle, Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, JoanneArnott, UNBC prof Heather Harris, and UNBC grad Michael Blackstock – will leadwriting workshops on board the Via Rail Skeena train and perform readings atvarious stops en route. Readings will be held inTerrace, Smithers, Hazelton, and Prince Rupert,in addition to a gala reading at the Prince George Railway and Forestry Museumon September 25th.

AboriginalWriters and Storytelling Festival – September 23-October 8

More than 14 writers (including all five on thePoetry Train) will participate in readings that will be held at variouslocations around Prince George.Special guests will include poet and novelist Paula Gunn Allen and playwright Tomson Highway. Thegala event will be on September 29 featuring storytelling, dance, and music.

“With all of its components, this festival could bethe largest of its kind in Canada,”says UNBC English professor Rob Budde. “Fourteen writers, ten to fifteenstorytellers, performance groups, visual artists, the Poetry Train, awonderful gala, and internationally recognized writers such as Paula Gunn Allenand Tomson Highway will all combine to make Prince George a marvelous meetingplace for nations, traditions, and imaginations.”

Sponsors are Via Rail, theCanada Council for the Arts, BookTV, Northwords Magazine, the Mammoth Lodge,the UNBC First Nations Centre, and the UNBC programs in English, First NationsStudies, and Social Work.

Contact:
Rob Budde, English program, UNBC - 250.960.6993