Writer in Residence

Celia Haig-Brown

The Living Legacy Project - Celia Haig-Brown

The Museum at Campbell River is pleased to announce an exciting new project.  Entitled the ‘Living Legacy Project’, this 5 month initiative will replace the annual Haig-Brown Writer-in-Residence Program for one year.

The Living Legacy Project examines the ongoing influence of Roderick and Ann Haig-Brown through the work of Celia Haig-Brown and family.  

The youngest of the Haig-Brown children, Celia Haig-Brown returns to her home river, house, and community that shaped her. In conversations with Indigenous writers, artists, and other Haig-Brown family members, she reflects on the lasting impact of the lessons passed down from her parents in the “Living Legacy Project”. 

Four community sessions and a workshop will invite the public to join the dialogue using art and conversation.  Each session will offer a chance for speakers and audience members to examine what it means “To be in good relation.”  

The series of conversations draws on the “Four Rs” proposed by Verna J. Kirkness and Ray Barnhardt. Using each of the Four Rs (Relevance, Reciprocity, Responsibility and lastly Return), sessions will focus on practical ways to work well together. The first session will use the theme of relevance to examine what it means “to be in good relation.” The second session will focus on reciprocity, the third, responsibility, and the fourth, return. Underlying all of them will be how to work with respect.   

Celia especially thanks Verna Kirkness (Cree), Jo-ann Archibald (Sto:lo), Kaaren Dannenmann (Aniisinaabe), Ruth Green (Haudenosaunee), and the students and staff of UBC’s Indigenous Teacher Education Program (NITEP) as some of the many who have shared Indigenous knowledge that informs these sessions. Each session will include time for Q&A with the audience. 

Session 1: To be in good relation: relevance on Saturday, January 25, 2025 . Tickets $12 > More information for Session 1

Session 2: To be in good relation: reciprocity on Saturday February 22 at NIC Q̓ə pix ʔidaʔas (the Indigenous Gathering Place at North Island College, Campbell River Campus). Tickets $12 > More information for Session 2

Session 3: To be in good relation: responsibility on Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the River City Players Theatre at 1080 Hemlock St, Campbell River, BC V9W 3E4. Tickets $12 > More information Session 3

Session 4: To be in good relation: return on Saturday, May 3, 2025 (Ann Haig-Brown Day) at the Vineyard Christian Fellowship at 2215 Campbell River Road. Tickets $12 > More information Session 4

Workshop: Conducting respectful research  on Saturday, April 5 from 1:00pm to 4:00 pm at the Museum at Campbell River . Maximum 16 participants. Check back for registration details. 

Writer in Residence Program Returns in 2025

The next intake for applicants will be Fall 2024/2025 with a deadline for applications of March 31, 2025.

The residency entails spending the winter months (or a portion thereof) living in the Haig-Brown Heritage House.

The modest four bedroom house reflects the character of writer Roderick Haig-Brown and his wife Ann. Located in a peaceful setting on the banks of the Campbell River on Vancouver Island, it contains a Heritage library and is surrounded by two acres of garden and 17 acres of public parkland.

The Writer’s time will be divided between pursuing personal writing projects and providing literary advice and support to the local community, with writing time favoured on a 60/40 basis. The writer would also participate in the Museum at Campbell River’s winter programming.

A stipend of up to $2,000 per month, depending on available funding, will be provided.

Application Information Sheet

Applications should include:

  • A resume or CV (maximum two pages)
  • A list of publications
  • A sample of work in progress (10 – 20 pages)
  • A letter of interest outling:
    • Ideas and themes for proposed community programming.
    • Reasons why the residency would further your work including an indication of what personal writing project you would be working on during this residency. 
    • Experience mentoring emerging writers.
  • Two letters of reference

Forward your application package via email or mail to Ken Blackburn, Museum at Campbell River, Box 70 Stn A, Campbell River, BC V9W 4Z9.

Email is: hb.writer@crmuseum.ca 

Please note, the next intake for applicants will take place in fall 2024 with a deadline for applications of March 31, 2025. For one time only, there will be a one year gap between Residencies.

Past Writers in Residence

2004/2005Don McKayVictoria, B.C.
2005/2006David Carpenter Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
2006/2007Myrna KostashEdmonton, Alberta
2007/2008Brian BrettSaltspring Island, B.C.
2008/2009Marjorie DoyleSt. John’s, Newfoundland
2009/2010Harry ThurstonAmherst, Nova Scotia
2010/2011Patricia RobertsonWhitehorse, Yukon
2011/2012Trevor HerriotSaskatoon, Saskatchewan
2012/2013Charlotte Gill Powell River, B.C.
2013/2014Andrew NikiforukCalgary, Alberta
2014/2015David CarpenterSaskatoon, Saskatchewan
2015/2016Wayne GradyKingston, Ontario
2016/2017John Donlan Vancouver, B.C.
2017/2018Bev SellarsSoda Creek, B.C.
2018/2019Terry JordanSaskatoon, Saskatchewan
2019/2020Eden RobinsonKitimaat, B.C.
2021/2022Danny RamadanVancouver, B.C.
2022/2023Andrea RoutleyVancouver, B.C.
2023/2024Karolyn Smardz FrostToronto, ON