Save the date!

2025 ÂNSKOHK INDIGENOUS LITERATURE FESTIVAL

The Ânskohk Indigenous Literature Festival was created to showcase the diversity of writing by Indigenous authors, to educate the general population about the richness of Indigenous literature, and to promote further understanding of Indigenous peoples. The Ânskohk Festival is designed to appeal to a broad audience.

2025 ÂNSKOHK INDIGENOUS LITERATURE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE*

Saskatoon, SK

*Schedule is subject to change.
Free admission to all events!
Donations to SAWCI welcomed at the door, or by E-Transfer to sawciboard@gmail.com
Questions about the festival? Check our our FAQ

COMPLETE FESTIVAL PROGRAM!

Thursday, November 6, 2025

2-4 PM – “Bringing our Matriarchs Stories Back” ft. Cheryl Troupe, Jade McDougall, and Allyson Stevenson, moderated by Karon Shmon.
(In-Person Event)—University of Saskatchewan Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre
During the first half of this event, the featured panelists will be invited by moderator, Karon Shmon, to share their knowledge on the topic of matriarchs and their importance to Metis culture. The panel discussion will be followed by a Q&A period with the audience.

4-6 PM – BREAK

6-9 PM – Celebrating our Story-iors (In-Person Event)—Alt Hotel
Join us for supper followed by dessert and discussions with SK Indigenous authors with new books! The program will begin with an Honour Song, and live music!
Featuring:
Cheryl Troupe–Métis Matriarchs: Agents of Transition and Putting Down Roots: Métis Agency, Land Use, and Women’s Food Labour in a Qu’Appelle Valley Road Allowance Community
Jade McDougall–Métis Matriarchs: Agents of Transition
Allyson Stevenson–Métis Matriarchs: Agents of Transition
Arnolda Dufour Bowes–Maggie Lou Meets Her Match
Leah Marie Dorion–Five Senses for Métis Babies and My Little Métis Sleepy Horse
Cort Dogniez–Growing up Métis: Stories of Resilience
Kevin Wesaquate–Mihko Kiskisiwin – Blood Memory
Colleen Charlette–Mihko Kiskisiwin – Blood Memory
Tonia Laird–Seventhblade
Thursday evening Featured Author:
Wilfred Burton author of Road Allowance Kitten: Full Circle and Kohkum’s Royal Bannock

Friday, November 7, 2025

9-10:30 AM – Author Talk School Visits—Closed Event
Authors visit schools for readings/Q&A

9:30-10:45 AM – Children’s Book Writing, Featuring Leah Marie Dorion, Cort Dogniez, and Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, moderated by Elena Bentley—Alt Hotel
A discussion with Leah, Cort, and Mangeshig on the process of children’s book writing, moderated by Elena Bentley, followed by a Q&A.

10:45-11 AM – BREAK

11-12 PM – Multiple Title Book Launch with Conor Kerr, Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, Cody Cataeno, and Tonia Laird—Alt Hotel

AFTERNOON BREAK

5-6 PM – SAWCI Annual General Meeting – All welcome!—Alt Hotel

7 PM – Keynote Address Featuring Conor Kerr—Alt Hotel

8-9 PM – Open Mic (Sign up to share your writing!)—Alt Hotel

Saturday, November 8, 2025

9-9:45 AM – Morning Chat on Storytelling with Jesse Rae Archibald-Barber, Warren Cariou, and Kevin Lewis, moderated by Bruce Sinclair—at the Alt Hotel
Join us for tea and bannock and listen in while our storytellers discuss the craft.

10-11 AM – Indigenous Editing Panel featuring Kaitlin Littlechild, Warren Cariou, and Nadine Ryan, moderated by Rita Bouvier—at the Alt Hotel
Kaitlin, Warren, and Nadine, with moderator Rita Bouvier will discuss Indigenous editing, followed by a Q&A.

11-11:15 AM – BREAK

11:15-12:15 PM – Indigenous Futurisms Panel featuring Conor Kerr, Marilyn Dumont, and Cody Caetano, hosted by Matthew Tetreault—at the Alt Hotel
Conor, Marilyn, and Cody will discuss their ideas on Indigenous Futurisms, followed by a Q and A.

12:15-1:15 PM – Lunch

1:15-2:15 PM – Lunch Keynote Address featuring David Garneau—at the Alt Hotel

2:15 PM – SAFE TRAVELS!

Our Heartfelt Thank You to Our Sponsors