September 21, 2005 for immediate release

The second annual UNBC Poetry Train left Prince George this morning for a series ofwriting workshops and public readings in various communities aroundnorthwestern BC.

The Poetry Train is the result of a partnership between ViaRail and UNBC’s annual Just West of Unruly creative writing festival. Itfeatures various poets who conduct writing workshops on board and then hostpublic readings at various stops en route. This year, the Poetry Train isfollowing Via Rails’s Skeena Route,traveling from Prince George to Prince Rupert and return. Last year, thePoetry Train traveled from Winnipeg to Prince George.

The writers participating this year are KateriAkiwenzie-Damm, Joanne Arnott, Michael Blackstock, and Heather Harris.

The schedule of public readings follows:

- Terrace, Tonight, September 21, 7:30pm, SkeenaJunior Secondary

- Prince Rupert, Tomorrow, September22, 8:30pm, Museum of Northern BC

- Hazelton, Friday, September 23, 7:30pm, ‘Ksan Village Museum

- Smithers, Saturday, September 24, evening feast and readingat the Mammoth Lodge in Granisle

- Prince George, Sunday,September 25, 8:30pm, Prince George Railway and Forestry Museum

This year, the Poetry Train and the Just West of Unrulycreative writing festival is linked with the UNBC Aboriginal Writers and StorytellersFestival, which will continue in Prince George upon the arrival of the Poetry Train. Readings and performancesare scheduled through until October 8. For details, see storytelling.unbc.ca.

Contact:

Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations,UNBC – 250.960.5622