Saskatchewan's new poet laureates hope to inspire next generation of writers

Saskatchewan has two new poet laureates.

African oral literature specialist Peace Akintade began her two-year term Aug. 1. She said it's a huge honour.

"When I when I got the phone call, I had to sit down because I I didn't quite believe it," Akintade told Saskatchewan Weekend host Shauna Powers. "I am ecstatic to start and see where this two years takes me."

Originally from Nigeria, Akintade is an interdisciplinary artist with roots in traditional African oral literature. She said her goal is to host workshops and help other young poets see their potential.

"I hope that a workshop that I do helps another kid like me envision themselves in the same place in 10 years. I want to continue this. That's my goal," she said.

The Saskatchewan Poet Laureate Program was the first provincial program of its kind in Canada. It began more than 20 years ago and is run by the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild.

A 12-month youth poet laureate position was added in 2019. Spoken word poet Dash Reimer also began his term Aug. 1.

Reimer hopes to expand the definitions of traditional poetry.

"Spoken word poetry as an oral art form connected poetry and hip hop," Reimer said. "[They] kind of sometimes feel like the rambunctious cousins of page poetry and don't always get … the respect sometimes that I would love to see."