Aboriginal Emerging Writer's Program in Banff, Alberta

Aboriginal Emerging Writer’s Program:

By: Christine McFarlane

Opportunities knock at your door when you least expect them.  I would not be truthful if I was to say that it is not affecting me in some way or another. There is a whole gamut of emotions that I am going through as I sit here in Banff, Alberta taking part in the Aboriginal Emerging Writer’s Residency Program.

The purpose of the program is to encourage the artistic and creative development of emerging Aboriginal writers and storytellers in a supportive, artistic and cultural environment. It is an opportunity for me to develop my writing and storytelling amongst other emerging Aboriginal writers.


The talent I am seeing here is amazing, and its incredible to be sitting amongst other writers honing our craft and sharing an experience that comes once in a lifetime. Age does not factor in here; we share a common love for words and writing. Expressing ourselves on paper is what helps us thrive. In my case, it helps me to keep on going; no matter how many challenges life throws my way.

Today I was tested, when I had to write a 300-word autobiography of myself. It made me delve into a deeper part of myself, go beyond the surface and acknowledge to myself that deep down I am a lonely person, someone who yearns for love because she did not get it from the people she needed to while growing up.

 In our circle today, there was no judgment, as we went around the room and read our autobiographies. Through tears, laughter and sharing I learned that each and every one of us has something we are dealing with, and it is through our writing that we are coming out from the shadows of our inner pain to tell the world “I understand, and you are not alone.”

I never dreamed that the day would come that I would be a recipient of a Canada Council for the Arts grant, or that I would be participating in an emerging writer’s program but then again many people who know me, have often admonished me for not having enough confidence in myself and the writing that I do. Like any artist, my art is something that I am always trying to improve upon. This program is unique in the sense that it offers culturally relevant expertise, guidance and mentorship by providing a unique opportunity to learn from and consult with an Elder throughout the two-week residency, and also features a public reading series in which we will read excerpts of our work alongside award winning Aboriginal faculty writers.

Though enrolment is limited to eight writers, I feel proud to be chosen as one of the participants this year. Here’s to writing!