Drama prof. plans to brings stories to life as U of S storyteller in residence

The art of storytelling will be brought to life at the University of Saskatchewan this year.

The university has named Métis theatre artist and drama professor Bruce Sinclair its 2023 storyteller in residence. Sinclair is a student of both the Cree and Michif languages, the university said in a statement.

Sinclair said he was honoured to take on the role, and his goal is to honour different ways to tell stories through the integration of theater in talking circles. The circles will allow the university community to share their own stories and learn from the stories of others.

Sinclair said he hopes the circles will create a sense of community. He said everyone’s story is relevant, whether it is an elder speaking another language or a teenager sharing stories about their life.

“It’s about sitting down and listening, learning from the past,” he said. “It’s about being human.”

In addition to the talking circles, Sinclair will hold regular office hours at the Murray Library on campus, and will also meet with students in one-on-one sessions. He said he is working out details for focus groups, and is hoping his work will involve local artists in fields ranging from music to acting.

In the mid-‘80s, Sinclair was introduced to the art of drama, and said he has his dream job working at the U of S teaching students through the Urban Native Teacher Program, Indian Teacher Education Program, and Indigenous Student Achievement Pathways.

Sinclair said he’s always inspired by people and the loves having ability to share stories that help others feel validated in their own life walk.

“We all have drama in our lives,” he said, noting that the ability to recognize drama as an art form can be valuable.

According to a statement from the U of S, Sinclair is the third storyteller in residence following poet and author Zoey Roy and hip hop artist Lindsay Knight, also known as Eokwol.

When it comes to stories from Sinclair’s life, he said he can speak about his own experience growing up in Meadow Lake and the Battlefords as a Métis man, adding that he tells them with a theatrical presentation.

Sinclair said he looks forward to collecting stories from a wide range of cultural backgrounds and giving a voice to those in the community throughout his 12-month residency.

“The stories are as diverse as the people who live here,” he added.

“It’s time for us to get together and be able to laugh, cry, listen, and appreciate each other’s stories in person.”

The residency ends with a presentation of a project during the university’s Indigenous Achievement Week in March, the university said.