The ‘Ut’loo Noye Khunni ~ Weaving Words Celebration (WWC) honours the legacy, the present, and the future of Indigenous storytelling on March 4 to March 7. This multi-day festival prides itself on showcasing storytellers at all career stages: from youth to emerging artists to established voices.
This annual celebration began in 2005 and continues to be a mainstay of the Prince George literary community. Here, culture and language are recognized as the underpinning of literature, by incorporating a variety of local Indigenous Traditional events, including drumming, singing, jigging, and beading, alongside the literary talks and readings.
For 2026, Weaving Words Celebration (WWC) showcases the following Indigenous voices:
Richard Van Camp (Dogrib (Tłı̨chǫ) Nation) joins again this year! He will be here to discuss his prolific career as a writer, and the way he is able to bring Indigenous storytelling into a variety of media from graphic novels (such as Wheetago War Roth) to film (such as Three Feathers the Movie) to novels (such as The Lesser Blessed).
Katherena Vermette (Red River Métis) is the author of literary hits that offer insight into questions of Métis identity, family dynamics, and culture, such as The Break, The Strangers, or A Girl Called Echo. She is also the winner of the 2013 Governor General’s Literary Award for Poetry for her collection entitled, North End Love Songs.
Carolyn Robert (St’at’imc and Sto:lo) is an academic whose research and teaching emphasizes decolonizing the education system. She has an upcoming book that offers an elementary school aged introduction to MMIWG2S+ entitled Tess’s Red Dress: Honouring Love and Family (out April 2026).
G̱a̱mksimoon (Ts’msyen) is a singer and songwriter, who recently released an album in Sm’algyax, the Ts’msyen language. He offers a mix of Traditional music with original compositions, offering that balance of Indigenous past, present, and future.
Reneltta Arluk (Inuvialuk, Dene, and Cree) is an artist, art administrator, poet, and playwright. She is the voice behind the Cree takeover of Shakespeare in Pawakan Macbeth. She is also the author of TUMIT, a one-woman show on Inuit identity, family, and breaking generational cycles. Her poetry includes, Thoughts and Other Human Tendencies, that intermixed Indigenous Tradition with 21st century realities.
Kym Gouchie (Lheidli T’enneh) is a pillar in the Prince George community as an elder-in-training for the Lheidli T’enneh. She is a musician, songwriter, and storyteller who uses the language of song to connect across cultures. She is the winner of the Stingray Rising Star Award for her role as a cultural mentor and advocate for Indigenous rights and representation.
There will be events around the University of Northern British Columbia, Two River Arts Gallery, Vanier Hall, and Omineca Arts Centre. For the full schedule of events, see www.weavingwords.info
