Yukon International Storytelling Festival facts for kids
The Yukon International Storytelling Festival was a special event held every summer in Whitehorse, Yukon. It was usually held outdoors, surrounded by nature. This festival was created by two amazing storytellers, Louise Profeit-LeBlanc and Anne Taylor. Louise Profeit-LeBlanc was from the Northern Tutchone Nation. She was also the niece of Angela Sidney (1902 – 1991), a very important elder from the Tagish people. Angela Sidney spent her life making sure the old stories of her people were remembered and shared.
Louise and Anne wanted to start a festival right here in the Yukon. They realized that Angela Sidney had to travel all the way to Toronto in 1984 to share her people's stories with a big audience. So, in 1987, many people came together to plan the first Yukon Storytelling Festival. It started in 1988 and grew to include storytellers from all over the world. It especially focused on stories from native peoples and countries around the North Pole.
Festival History
In 1984, Angela Sidney shared her stories at a festival in Toronto. This inspired other storytellers to create the Yukon International Storytelling Festival, which began in 1988.
First Ten Years: 1988-1997
The very first festival in 1988 featured storytellers from four different continents. They shared stories in 23 languages, including 16 native languages! In 1989, the festival became more popular. It encouraged schoolchildren to attend, and the musician Jerry Alfred was one of the artists. The festival kept growing in 1990.
In 1991, a national festival reviewer praised the event. Because of this, its name changed to the "Yukon International Storytelling Festival." Sadly, Angela Sidney, the Tagish elder who inspired the festival, passed away that year.
The 1992 festival had some issues with its planned guests from Russia. But in 1993, the festival saw its biggest crowd and earned the most money ever. In 1994, a strong windstorm almost destroyed the festival tents. This caused the festival to move and lose a lot of money.
To make up for the losses, the 1995 festival was made smaller. This helped it earn extra money for the first time. In 1996, the festival grew again and had its second-best attendance. The 10th anniversary festival in 1997 had the most visitors yet. The Canada Council, a big arts organization, finally started to show interest.
Second Ten Years: 1998-2007
The 1998 festival had fewer visitors because other local events were happening at the same time. In 1999, the festival tried a new and successful "Winter tour." It also finally received support from the Canada Council. The 2000 festival was held in June and had wonderful weather. In 2001, even rain couldn't stop the festival's popularity.
In 2002, the festival gained a lot of support from leaders. It moved into new offices and got a new, energetic leader. The 2003 festival had a successful Circumpolar Banquet and many workshops throughout the day. The many forest fires in 2004 created a unique atmosphere. A highlight was the Red Sky Performance Troupe from Ontario.
The biggest festival was in 2005, with 12 tents and many different activities. Some featured artists included Uzume Taiko, a Japanese drumming group, and Aché Brasil, who performed the Brazilian martial art of capoeira. The 2006 festival was also large and well-attended. It featured Jules Paivio, a veteran who remembered the Spanish Civil War. Partnerships with "Harvest Fair" and Mongolian yurts provided cozy places for storytelling.
The 20th anniversary festival in 2007 was held indoors for the first time. It took place at the Yukon Arts Center in August. Featured artists included SunsDrum, an interactive Inuit presentation of traditional drumming and throat singing. Also featured were Jeanne Doucet Currie, an Acadian storyteller, and Dan Yashinsky, who started the Toronto Festival of Storytelling. Ida Calmagne (Tagish, Yukon), daughter of the festival's co-founder, also performed.
The festival is currently taking a break and is not planned for the near future.
See also
- World storytelling day
