Rendez-vous de la francophonie: Stories galore

Whether we speak English, French, or both, in Canada, we are aware of the connection we have with each other. Language joins us, explains our similarities and differences and draws on a shared history. Today language is more that cultural identity, it is our link with time itself.

Tied to all aspects of life language is a force to unite, reach out and create opportunities. Social, economic and cultural tapestries are woven around this unifying source.

Families share stories describing the influences in their daily lives. They create memories all the while living within their images of self and community.

The National Film Board celebrates its 4th Rendez-vous. Between March 6th and 22nd enjoy the animated shorts and films presenting the diversity and uniqueness of the Canadian tapestry.

Be the teller,

March and International Women's Day : All about stories

March sings with hope. It marks the nearing of spring.

Birds feel it, children sense it and we can smell it in the air.

Could it be that Reading Week for elementary school children sets it off?

It might be so. But for whatever reason I feel the coming of warmth, dryness and clear streets without snow and ice and that makes me smile.

March also signals the recognition of women's contribution around the world. March 8^th is International Womens' Day . Though every country determines what their theme will be there are often times similarity of intention. This year the theme is Women and men united to end violence against women and girls. Governments around the world recognize the cost to and the impact on our social, economic and cultural lives violence imposes. Women and children have a right to a life safe from harm. When will it become a reality?

Only we as a world of societies may bring about this most needed change.

Throughout the world stories are shared between women, men and children about what is important, what is just and how we can achieve it for ourselves, for our families and for the world.

Visit the sites of countries around the world and join in this moment of hope and possibility.

Australia (142 events)

Bangledesh (3 events)

Canada (108 events)

China (4 events)

Ireland (14 events)

United Kingdom (215 events

Be the teller,

Hockey Day in Canada : A time for stories

Campbellton New Brunswick hosted Hockey Day in Canada. Families came together to join in the celebrations by meeting old friends, making new friends and handing over the gauntlet to the next generation. How many of us do not have a glimpse into what hockey has meant to our culture. Leisure or recreational the meaning was woven into the very fiber of the national tapestry. It represented a joy in being the best, the anticipation of the next contest, the next game. Author Roch Carrier shared great insight into this national icon in his book The Hockey Sweater. And whether you wore the Toronto Maple Leafs blue or the Canadians red you were in the GAME! And most of it mattered.

As my partner and I walked around the SnowFest activities and heard hundreds of stories being shared. People were abound with exchanges about hockey, the fun of competition and the benefit of team sports. As you walked through the crowd you could hear stories about who was playing, how they had done and what they were going to do to get involved next year. Young families watched as their little ones took to the ice wielding a hockey stick smaller than some boots.

Since the Russia Canada games of the early 70s I have had a very loose connection to hockey. If its Saturday then it must be Hockey Night in Canada was the extent of my relatedness. But I also knew is was more than a sport. It was obviously much more.

We live in cynical times. Positive forces are needed for us to grow strong, feel well and be in the moment. Living in a community means you are listening to whats important from that perspective.

You participate and engage in the world around you, you take your place along side your neighbor. Your friends and family know of what I speak. They too have their stories, invite them to share them with you. Be inspired by listening to Roch his take on our love of the sport.


Be the teller,

Valentine's Day : A time for the telling

Valentine's Day continues to intrigue, delight and tease us into believing that there is a day special enough to tell of your love, or to say what you feel to your love or even to sing the praises of your love. St. Valentine, is said to have been a priest in Ancient Roman. Picture it; Rome about 270 A.D. and you are not a supporter of the current Emperor Claudius. A christian, Valentine would be martyred for refusing to give up his faith. Centuries later Henry VIII declared February 14th as Valentine's Day. After all who would know more about courtly love.

These and others stories will lead you to asking 'Who was your first Valentine?' 'How did you share your special day?' 'Where were you when you received your first Valentine?'. 'So wants with Cupids arrow?'

Sure some of these questions may be invasive or they could just be fun. Our memories need cajoling at times and February 14th might just be the right day to get some insights into your surroundings by asking those you love. Will you be my Valentine?

Be the teller,

Have you heard the one : Groundhog Day Canadian style

If stories are learned then traditions begin with stories about every day occurances. February 2nd is Groundhog Day and is a perfect example of such stories.

Picture it, it's 1887 and you are in Punxsutawney, Pa. The story goes that if the groundhog who's name was Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow it meant the end of winter was near. Not scientific perhaps but a fun way to predict the weather.

Seems a long time ago but as any storyteller would tell you stories live on in all of us.

Now lets come forward to 1956, to Wiarton, Ontario Canada. Discover groundhog Wiarton Willie. He predicted and we watched, learned and of course told the story. And so the stories continue.

We are a big country and have many such creatures to help us devine the weather.

Visit Groundhog Day on the CBC site and learn more about our stories,

Be the teller,

Freedom to Read : Storytelling time

Stories define themselves. They can bring you onto a landscape, introduce one to the ideas of another being. Stories are told by those who believe, believe in nature, in humanity, the universe and use this belief to tell us of their experiences.

"Freedom to Read" Week will be celebrated February 22-28th and before it comes and goes take a moment to read about it. If rights are to be respected then it must be understood that we respect what others want to share. Not that what all writers say is true and not every word is the truth. But if we can open our hearts and minds to the OTHER we might perceive that which is yet not part of our imagining.

Talk with those you trust,
share your stories about stories and celebrate
"Freedom to Read" in your own way,

Visit Freedom to Read

Be the teller,

A time for collecting stories : Festive Season

You know who you are! The one in a family gathering that asks all the questions. The person most likely to wonder when our family first cut a tree for the holidays. There is one in every family. Is is curiosity, concern or just being inquisitive, inquiring minds want to know. But remember this is, it is all up to you.

Familylore is like that. We all have it, we all use it and no one tells about it. That is where the family teller comes in. The Festive Season is one of the most popular times of the year to record such stories. Are they interviews? Will they bring up bad memories? You never know, you can only be sure that you are asking in order to preserve, encourage and share your Familylore.

The next time you are in the kitchen helping to stuff a bird, bake a pie or sugar cookies pull out your recorder, and ask open questions to your mom, grandmother, grandfather, sister, brother, nephew,niece or other.

• Mom Dad : What did you do on your first Christmas together?
  

• Sis: How did you decide to become _____________?
  

• Neighbour: Remember Grandad, and his gardening, what was his favorite flower?

These and other open ended questions will help get the story started.

Be the teller,

Our lives our stories

"Our lives are stories,... and the stories we have to give each other are the most important. None of us have a story too small and all are of equal stature. We each tell them in different ways, through different mediums-and if we care about each other, we'll take the time to listen." Foreword by Terri Windling to Waifs and Strays by Charles de Lint.

Everyday of our lives are filled with happenings, great and sorrowful, small and gentle, ephemeral and minute. But these our all parts of our story. Yours and mine. While searching for a teller to share with you today I was reminded of one such person, a writer, dwelling in Ottawa. Charles de Lint unfolds spaces within spaces to create that which cannot be seen, cannot be touched unless you venture forth.

Be the teller of your story,

Where stories come from

In this season of snow, cold, winds and ice northern New Brunswick is bombarded by the sights and sounds of activities such as tobogganing, snowmobiling, skating. Winter sports are key conversations in coffee shops, hockey being the most talked about. Ah! hockey.

A storyteller shares events in his life and helps you experience them. Roch Carrier, renown Canadian author and formerly the National Librarian of Canada is the quintessential storyteller.

Picture it, rural Quebec, early 1950s. You are a young hockey player and your hero is Maurice Richard. So the story begins;

“The winter’s of my childhood were long long seasons. We lived in three places, the school, the church and the skating rink. But our real life was on the skating rink. Real battles were won on the skating rink, real strength appeared on the skating rink, the real leaders showed themselves on the skating rink.” (Roch Carrier, The Hockey Sweater)

In 'The Hockey Sweater' the reader is witness to the stress of youth, to the limitations that come with being a child. You sense the helplessness the boy feels when his mother insists he wear a Toronto Maple Leaf sweater rather than #9 Montreal Canadiens. How does this young boy explain to his friends that his sweater is now white and blue rather than the red, white and blue.

The teller seeps his reader in the atmosphere of the setting. In the distance you see the ice rink, you can hear the school bells and feel the closed quiet space of the church. The denouement brings a resolution with humour and dignity. How? That's another story.

Enjoy listening to storyteller Roch Carrier share his story with you, visit