Poet Laureate

Telling Our Stories Through Poetry - a free, virtual discussion held April 2021 with four published Canadian poets in celebration of National Poetry Month. We hope you enjoy the recording of this event hosted by former Poet Laureate, Claudia Ferrraro.

Authors: Phoebe Wang, Laura Ritland, Randy Lundy and Michael Fraser

With financial assistance from The Canada Council for the Arts through The Writers' Union of Canada

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Jillian Morris is a Collingwood writer, poet and storyteller whose work is regularly featured in local and regional publications. During her tenure as Poet Laureate, Jillian has shared the transformative power of poetry, appearing at local events, working with emerging poets, introducing the storytelling series Yonnhe'on:we, integrating poetry into public spaces and recently releasing her first book of poetry, "born, genes, and quash". 

As Kanien'kehaka, a member of Six Nations of the Grand River Territory, Jillian's poetry layers traditional teachings and interconnection with the natural world to explore identity, redress untruths and foster connection. Her poem A Tribute to our Stolen Spirits is installed at the Awen Gathering Circle.

Jillian is a former federal public servant and in addition to writing, she is a researcher, creator, public engager, mother, wife, and bridge builder. Jillian is also a member of the Unity Collective where she finds endless reward in volunteering and working to build relationships, capacity, and understanding. 

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During her term as Collingwood's second Poet Laureate, Claudia Ferraro made numerous appearances at community and civic gatherings, created poetry installations for our parks and trails, led workshops and hosted events and offered us words and prose that brought joy and hope to the commuity during the pandemic while reminding us of the importance of the arts to our health and well-being. 

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"It has been my honour and privilege to serve as Collingwood's first Poet Laureate. Poetry is the most compact and efficient way to express thoughts and feelings and engender a deep response in others. The role of Poet Laureate has given me the opportunity to share my love of poetry and the spoken word as well as inspire both committed word fans and those new to the power of poetry"

What is a Community? 
by Day Merrill, 2019

The roots of the word are far from clear–
It’s not just those whom we live near

It’s that which we hold in common, and share:
Fair land, clear water, fresh air

Some of it’s shaped by geographic forces
Part is our principles, history, resources.

It’s the circumstances that bind us together
When we take initiative to make things better

It’s what we fight to keep or to change 
But never want to give up or exchange

It’s the functions and duties borne by us all
Carried out from home as well as Town Hall.

It’s all who come here to live, work and play
In a place many decide they will stay.

What makes us a community? This in a word:
The choice to be here, and be seen and heard

A place when we talk, we’re heard and believed
Where in life we’re supported and in death we’re grieved.

The place that we start from or end up our days
That nourishes us in so many ways.

If we look, it’s where we can always find good.
It’s the place we call home, our dear Collingwood.