Collingwood celebrates National Poetry Month announcing Jillian Morris as the new Poet Laureate
The Town of Collingwood is pleased to announce that Jillian Morris has been selected as Collingwood’s next Poet Laureate. Jillian will be introduced and invited to recite a poem at the Town Council meeting on Tuesday, April 19.
Jillian is a Collingwood writer, poet and storyteller whose work is regularly featured in local and regional publications. She will serve as Poet Laureate for two years commencing in April – National Poetry Month. The role of this honorary position is to elevate poetry, writers and literary arts in the community.
During her term, Jillian will appear at events, present work on themes relevant to the citizens of Collingwood and utilize poetry and storytelling as a means to help connect the community.
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.
Applications for Collingwood’s Poet Laureate position were received through an open call for submissions and Jillian was selected by peers in the community.
The Town is also inviting the public to celebrate National Poetry Month by exploring an outdoor exhibition on the Train trail for the month of April. Works by local poets and photographers will be displayed in signs along the trail between the Collingwood Museum and Collins Street. These two art forms are often perceived as solitary pursuits, and for the month of April they join together to express this year’s Poetry Month theme – intimacy.
About Collingwood
The Town of Collingwood is a progressive community located in the heart of a four-season recreation area on the southern shore of Georgian Bay. The area is well known for its many natural amenities and its rich heritage. Collingwood is a destination for tourism and many business, sporting and cultural events Collingwood acts as gateway to the South Georgian Bay region, with stunning landscapes that encourage an active lifestyle, and inspire the local arts and culture community. Downtown Collingwood might just surprise you with 30 plus restaurants, 60 plus boutique shops, spas for relaxing, live music for grooving…all in the only downtown core recognized in Canada’s Registrar of Historic Places! More recently, the harbourfront area is emerging as an extension to the downtown district. Plans for expanding the amenities and events in the harbourfront area promise to make this a much more prominent tourism destination.
For more information, contact:
Christa Carter
Manager, Public Relations & Communications
T. 705-445-1030 Ext. 3274
ccarter@collingwood.ca
Tanya Mazza
Coordinator, Arts & Culture
T. 705-445-2500 Ext. 3287
tmazza@collingwood.ca