David Bouchard's Blog, page 14

First Nations schools still shortchanged

First Nations schools still shortchanged

The News Tribune: Ivan the gorilla dies at Zoo Atlanta

When I speak to audiences about great reads/about MUST reads, The One and Only Ivan always comes up. Friends, if you've not read it, treat yourself and those you love:

The News Tribune: Ivan the gorilla dies at Zoo Atlanta: News, weather, traffic, events and photos from the City Desk at The Seattle Times.

Summer report

For a touring author, summer is...???...hot especially when you choose to go to Florida in the month of July! Our family spent the first part of the summer in Orlando,Florida at Harry Potter World. Victoria turned 14 this summer and that was her request. It was a wonderful/memorable holiday. We came home to focus on my father who at 94 is having some up and downs. Mom passed away in December and it's been hard on dad. Nevertheless, he's been amazing and... Vicki and Victoria also planned my birthday a little early as I'll be in the NWTerritories on the 13th of September. Their gift was to fly our cousin and very close friend Garry Stockdill to Victoria. Garry lives in Yorkshire and getting him here without my knowing it was a challenge. I was sitting in front of the Olympics texting Garry (I thought). I looked up and there he was, standing on my terrace looking in at me?!? I have to admit, the feeling was almost sinister? What? How? When and where? Having Garry here with me for ten days was simply the best! Now, it's back to work. I have two new releases to share: Beneath Raven Moon and Rainbow Crow. They are both spectacular pieces of work for which I owe thanks to so many! I am very anxious to share them. And I'm working on three other exciting titles: Dreamcatcher and the Seven Deceivers; The Great Peace and The First Flute. In the world of a writer, we strike when the iron is hot and hope to hit the mark.

Reading will be top priority next year, George Abbott tells B.C. teachers

There is no magic nor is there a programme that will turn children into readers. It takes time (kids will read when they are ready, not when we tell them they are), a role model (a hero...every child needs a guide) and books (books that are accessible (that they CAN read) and books that are inclusive (that they can see themselves in). No magic...it's as simple as that!

Reading will be top priority next year, George Abbott tells B.C. teachers

The Elders are Watching

Over the past decade, The Elders are Watching has sold over 300,000 copies. About a decade ago, my friend/artist partner Roy Henry Vickers created a short promotional video. In it, he reads our book in the voice of Chief Dan George. Educators, please feel free to share our gifts with your communities - parents, staff, students. Technology has offered us the opportunity to learn and teach in a way that we had never thought possible ten years ago. Copy and paste the link shown below and... You'll know what to do... For this opportunity as well as for having been introduced to Roy and to my own dreamworld, I thank my Grandmothers. Miigwetch Nokums! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pQftk...

Hot...humid Ontario

I'm just home from two great weeks in hot, humid Ontario. Chatham at 41 degrees is too much for me. Chatham as 18 degrees is still challenging to me. It was so very humid, hot and...??? With that out of the way, I've just spent two great weeks sharing learnings and hope with Aboriginal students and communities. Non-Aboriginals have had a equal dose of who we are, what our challenges have been and where we see ourselves in the future. Miigwetch to both the Catholic and Public school boards for offering me the opportunity of sharing with your staff, students and parents. For many of our kids, pride, insight and a role model is a good beginning. Pictured here is my new friend Andrew at John McGregor Senior Secondary in Chatham Andrew just won our Drum Calls Softly (and a small piece of my heart) for being a devoted and passionate reader. I'm home packing for the Halton School District, Lindsay and Thunder Bay.

Canada in the spring....

What a perfect time to work in our massive country. I flew to Saskatoon and drove to Duck Lake. In Duck Lake's spectacular new community school, I worked with parents, staff and students. We spoke about past and future...pain and dreams for a better tomorrow. For those who have not driven into town off the highway, the historical town features several spectacular murals reminding us of the rich history of the Cree and Metis people. I then drove to Kamsack. I stayed at Madge Lake in the beautiful Saulteaux Lodge and I worked with the entire community out at Gabriel Cote Reserve. There is no question that my message was heard. There is a crack in the door. Aboriginal people stand to read and to succeed. My drive through Yorkton to Regina was highlighted by a hundred thousand bugs splattered all across my windshield. I had forgotten the bugs and I had completely forgotten the wind. If You're not from the Prairie, you don't know the wind. From Regina...Montreal - To be able to present "dans ma langue" was nothing less than a thrill. And my audience... A conference on literature!?! My listeners were clapping and smiling and down with my every word. THAT is the kind of work every conference presenter relishes. I arrived home from Montreal last night and leave for Toronto tomorrow for wo magical weeks in south western Ontario.

Diversity in Grande Prairie

Equity, diversity and human rights in Grande Prairie... I see exciting things happening around me...almost daily. Most are from our youth. Kids have never been as smart and able as is this generation. They are living the things I grew up writing essays about: environmental well being, human rights, acceptance not mere tolerance. My daughter calls me on running more water than I should be. She would never dream of doing some of the things I did as a youth to our environment. That being said, adults are cashing in on some creative and innovative actions. Barack Obama is President of the U.S.A. The Berlin wall is no more. Alberta has elected a woman premier...and a very bright one at that. In B.C., teachers came out opposing standardized test. Shortly thereafter, educational administrators joined them in their condemnations. This year, the B.C. Trustees have joined rank. This past week, I worked with staff in Grande Prairie in gearing up for a new programme that will focus on Equity, Diversity and Human Rights. Amazing concept. Amazing people. Another reason to celebrate education. I spoke right after this young lady who had no issue with capturing the attention and then the hearts of our audience. ...oh, I should mention that the good sport's name is Darren.

...a magical week in Wild Rose

Thank you to friend/colleague Brian Celli for allowing me to work with students, staff and parents in beautiful NW Alberta's Wild Rose School Division. I have just returned from a week of working with the best of Canadians, Aboriginal, non-Aboriginal, newly arrived from all over the world...and of course our very best and our future: our children/students. I've shared Metis/Aboriginal culture. I've shared my flutes and our music. I've told stories...heard stories and most of all, I've imparted what I wanted to leave them with: I don't want to make choices for anyone, including my own daughter Victoria. I would only like to share my life's learnings that will help individuals make qualitative decisions. Reading is so very important in a person's life. It opens doors. It allows us the freedom of information and travel. It enriches our lives on so many fronts. And the best thing is that reading is accessible to every person...it's as simple as finding one book...the right book...and allowing yourself to get hooked. Thank you Brian. Thank you Skychild. Thank you O'Chiese. Thank you Drayton Valley, Rocky, Condor and Breton... Miigwetch Wild Rose.

A close up look at Chris Patrick - agent/friend

Chris Patrick has been my agent and close friend for almost as long as I've been married.

An accountant by trade, Chris has run countless public events and has been responsible for raising millions of dollars for charities and needy people; victims of cancer, aides, abuse... Chris has also been the key figure in allowing me to reach over a million people over the past 13 years. Nothing I have done would have been possible without Chris: being named to the Order of Canada, tours around the globe and to every remote corner of Canada,having more than 60 books published...

A few years ago, Chris became directly involved in my work as a writer. Through More Than Words Book Publishers, he helped publish I am Raven and the Seven Sacred Teachings. Both books quickly became Canadian Best Sellers. Since that time, MTW Books has published several other books, all works of art in a league of their own within the Canadian Publishing Industry.

Chris sometimes joins me at a conferences where he sells a few books and meets my public. His time in the field always pays huge dividends. Last weekend in Regina was such an occasion. Chris flew in to attend the 13th annual Treaty Four Educational Conference. He sold books, made new contacts and rose to the occasion when asked if he would introduce me.

I'm proud to introduce Chris to any and all who only know him as a warm, compassionate, friendly voice at the end of a long telephone line. Here is my partner, agent and extremely good friend Chris Patrick...doing what God meant him to do...doing what he does best...talking!