Mattawa River Writer's Festival
7th Annual Earth Day Book Talk
with Waubgeshig Rice, April 19-21, 2024
Sponsored by Lefebvre’s Source for Adventure: one of North Bay’s longest serving businesses – they care for the community and the environment.
7th Annual Earth Day Book Talk
with Waubgeshig Rice, April 19-21, 2024
Sponsored by Lefebvre’s Source for Adventure: one of North Bay’s longest serving businesses – they care for the community and the environment.
Stay for the Weekend Package for the ultimate experience! Accommodations, meals and additional programs!
Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation.
He’s written four books, most notably the bestselling novel Moon of the Crusted Snow, published in 2018.
He graduated from the journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2002, and spent most of his journalism career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a video journalist and radio host.
He left CBC in 2020 to focus on his literary career.
His newest novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves, was published in October 2023.
In addition to his writing endeavours, Waubgeshig is an eclectic public speaker, delivering keynote addresses and workshops, engaging in interviews, and contributing to various panels at literary festivals and conferences.
He speaks on creative writing and oral storytelling, contemporary Anishinaabe culture and matters, Indigenous representation in arts and media, and more.
He lives in Sudbury, Ontario with his wife and three sons.
Waubgeshig Rice is an author and journalist from Wasauksing First Nation.
He’s written four books, most notably the bestselling novel Moon of the Crusted Snow, published in 2018.
He graduated from the journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2002, and spent most of his journalism career with the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation as a video journalist and radio host.
He left CBC in 2020 to focus on his literary career.
His newest novel, Moon of the Turning Leaves, was published in October 2023.
In addition to his writing endeavours, Waubgeshig is an eclectic public speaker, delivering keynote addresses and workshops, engaging in interviews, and contributing to various panels at literary festivals and conferences.
He speaks on creative writing and oral storytelling, contemporary Anishinaabe culture and matters, Indigenous representation in arts and media, and more.
He lives in Sudbury, Ontario with his wife and three sons.
Story for Anishinabek News from October 2023
Books
20 years ago, on August 14, 2003, I was on the Rez when the lights went out.
When they finally came back on the next day, we learned it was one of the most widespread blackouts in history.
And then when I got back to the city a few days later, I thought, I’d like to write a novel about that someday.
Little did I know that when I eventually wrote that book, it would change my life. And now the second part of that story will be out in just a couple months.
In 2003, we learned that the cause of the blackout was an overloaded grid in Ohio that failed after power lines came in contact with trees.
That created a domino effect of power failures throughout several states and provinces.
In Moon of the Crusted Snow, I intentionally left out the cause of the blackout for the sake of intrigue and mystery, all the while keeping the fictional series of events to myself.
But in Moon of the Turning Leaves, I felt the need to peel back that curtain for several reasons. I’ll explain more when the book’s out in October.
You will get a fuller picture of how the world ended in this saga. You’ll just have to wait a little bit longer.
Find out more about the Northeast Blackout of 2003.
With winter looming, a small northern Anishinaabe community goes dark. Cut off, people become passive and confused.
Panic builds as the food supply dwindles.
While the band council and a pocket of community members struggle to maintain order, an unexpected visitor arrives, escaping the crumbling society to the south. Soon after, others follow.
The community leadership loses its grip on power as the visitors manipulate the tired and hungry to take control of the reserve.
Tensions rise and, as the months pass, so does the death toll due to sickness and despair.
Frustrated by the building chaos, a group of young friends and their families turn to the land and Anishinaabe tradition in hopes of helping their community thrive again.
Guided through the chaos by an unlikely leader named Evan Whitesky, they endeavor to restore order while grappling with a grave decision.
Blending action and allegory, Moon of the Crusted Snow upends our expectations. Out of catastrophe comes resilience.
And as one society collapses, another is reborn.
Book Talk Event
- Saturday Cocktails, Dinner and Book talk with Waub (4 to 9pm)
- Purchase a table:
- $500* for a table of 4 (discounted to $125/per person)
- $600* for a table of 6 (discounted to $100/per person)
- CHARITABLE TAX RECEIPT FOR FULL AMOUNT PROVIDED.
- *Plus HST
FULL Weekend
BEST VALUE- Single occupancy
- Additional participants to package $200* each (max 3 extra)
- Friday and Saturday night private accommodations
- Saturday Breakfast & Lunch/Sunday Brunch
- Saturday Book Talk Ticket (incl. dinner)
- Friday/Saturday special programs (see schedule below)
- CHARITABLE TAX RECEIPT FOR FULL AMOUNT WILL BE PROVIDED
- *Plus HST
Weekend Package Schedule
Laura Kielpinski - Event Host
Laura works full time as the Director of Education and Operations at the Canadian Ecology Centre (CEC). She has recently completed her training as a certified Forest Therapy Guide with ANFT (Association of Nature and Forest Therapy) and looks forward to sharing this practice with guests as the CEC.
Laura is also a qualified OCT teacher, GPS Instructor and Instructor Trainer for the National Green Check GPS Certification program, Instructor for the Canadian Wildlife Federation’s “Project Wild” and “Below Zero” programs. She holds an honours degree in Physical and Health Education (specializing in Outdoor Adventure Leadership) and a diploma in Environmental Science from Laurentian University, as well as her Bachelor of Education from Lakehead University in Outdoor Experiential Education. Laura holds certifications in Standard First Aid and CPR, Wilderness First Aid (80 hour WFR), ORKCA (canoe training) as well as risk management and safety planning. Her passions and interests include sharing her love of the natural world with all those around her and helping others to find comfort and enjoyment from spending time in the outdoors. She enjoys being active in a variety of outdoor activities (mountain biking, running, canoeing, hiking, and cross country skiing) with her friends, family and two children.
Backroads Bill - Event Host
Bill Steer a.k.a. “Back Roads Bill” is the General Manager and the “originator” of the Canadian Ecology Centre. He holds degrees and diplomas from Laurentian University, Nipissing College, McMaster University and Durham College. Most of his work experience is within the field of environmental education and special education with the Near North District School Board and the Simcoe County Board of Education. He is also the Director of the National Green Check GPS Certification Program (www.greencheckgps.ca), which administers three levels of geomatics certification.
Bill also has a variety of research interests. He studies “lost person” behaviour and spatial awareness as it pertains to human behaviour in the outdoors, and has worked with Dr. John and Mary Theberge on wolf research in Algonquin Park. He has also authored a variety of natural and cultural books and thematic maps.
He is a Trustee with the Near North District School Board. He teaches senior geography for Nipissing University’s Faculty of Education. Additionally, he teaches a geomatics (GIS/GPS/imagery) course within the Environmental Technician Program at Canadore College.