Events & Training Calendar

Labour history and the arts have long gone hand in hand. From the early voices of workers and organizers to contemporary reflections on life and work, poetry has helped shape and tell the story of the labour movement.

Join us for an evening honouring the legacy of the labour movement in Saskatchewan and the poetry of the working class with Medrie Purdham and Charles Smith.

This event is in-person only and will not be livestreamed or recorded.

Please be mindful of your time zone. All times listed in Saskatchewan time. (https://dateful.com/time-zone-converter)

Accessibility measures in this event:

• A read-along copy of the speakers’ presentations is available during the live event only
• Presenter self-descriptions
• All authors will use a microphone when speaking
• Wheelchair accessible venue (access to elevator on side of building)
• Many non-alcoholic beverage options are available for purchase
• Free admission

Meet our presenters:

Medrie Purdham

Medrie Purdham (she/her) lives in Regina in Treaty 4 territory with her family, teaches at the University of Regina, and is a practicing poet. Her debut collection, Little Housewolf, was nominated for the Gerald Lampert Award and the Fred Cogswell Award, and won a Saskatchewan Book Award. Subsequent work has been a finalist for the Vallum Chapbook Award and the Montreal International Poetry Prize. She holds a Ph.D. In Canadian literature from McGill University, enjoys sewing and skating, and recently went go-karting for the first time.

Charles Smith

Charles Smith (Ph.D York) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at St. Thomas More College, University of Saskatchewan.  His research interests include Canadian and International political economy, public law, labour unions and federal and provincial public policy. He is the author of Transforming Provincial Politics (2015) and Unions in Court: Organized Labour and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms (2017). His latest project (with Daniel Paré) examines the interconnection between workers’ freedom of expression, social media, and workplace discipline in Canada. He has also authored numerous articles on Saskatchewan Politics, Labour in Court and Labour History. Charles is also co-editor of Canada's foremost labour studies journal Labour/Le Travail.  He is also the husband to Allison and proud father of twin boys, Dylan and Jonah.

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