Gather

Publisher's Description (University of Regina Press):
Stories are medicine. During a time of heightened isolation, bestselling author Richard Van Camp shares what he knows about the power of storytelling—and offers some of his own favourite stories from Elders, friends, and family.

Gathering around a campfire, or the dinner table, we humans have always told stories. Through them, we define our identities and shape our understanding of the world.

Master storyteller and bestselling author Richard Van Camp writes of the power of storytelling and its potential to transform speakers and audiences alike.

In Gather, Van Camp shares what elements make a compelling story and offers insights into basic storytelling techniques, such as how to read a room and how to capture the attention of listeners. And he delves further into the impact storytelling can have, helping readers understand how to create community and how to banish loneliness through their tales. A member of the Tlicho Dene First Nation, Van Camp also includes stories from Elders whose wisdom influenced him.

During a time of uncertainty and disconnection, stories reach across vast distances to offer connection. Gather is a joyful reminder of this for storytellers: all of us.

Author Biography (richardvancamp.com):
Richard Van Camp is a proud Tłı̨chǫ Dene from Fort Smith, NWT. He is the author of 26 books in 26 years. He is a Dogrib Tłı̨chǫ writer of the Dene nation from Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. He is best known for his 1996 novel The Lesser Blessed, which was adapted into a film by director Anita Doron in 2012. In the past several years, Richard has been the Storyteller in Residence for Calgary Public Library, and the Writer in Residence at the Metro Federation of Edmonton Libraries. He has also been the Writer in Residence at the University of Alberta, Yellowhead Tribal College and MacEwan University. He has also been the Writer in Residence at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford.

Resource type: Book (non-fiction)

Age recommendation: Grades 10-12, post-secondary

Keywords: Storytelling, how-to, writing resource, Dene, Tilcho, protocol, stories, Alberta, Treaty 6

Year of publication: 2021

Publisher information: University of Regina Press