Directory of members
Ruth Stewart-Verger
Ruth grew up in astoryTelling household where she was immersed in the tales of her grandparents'childhood memories, of traveling tellers who dined at the family table and ofCanada’s historical heroes. She developed a respect for an oral tradition that lives in all cultures. Her love of the spoken word has been shared in schools, community centres, and parks, on concert stages, at festivals, in embassies, and on radio.
Ruth's audiences include tots on their parent's laps, preschool and school age kids, teens, adults, and seniors.
Ruth has traveled across Canada telling stories and finding new ones! She has facilitated workshops, conducted seminars, and presented at symposiums and conferences on storytelling and the applications of storytelling.
After years oftelling traditional and modern tales Ruth began to research the women ofCanadian history. Afternoons spent in the national and provincial Archives, andUniversity Libraries revealed the richness of story behind the likes of Marie-Anne Lagimodière or Emily Murphy and her friends, collectively as theFamous Five.
Out of these projects Ruth recorded two CDs. The first, "She Pushed From Behind: Emily Murphyin Story and Song" was recorded live at the Library and Archives Canada at a concert to celebrate International Women's Day. Ruth's second CD broughtto life one of the early pioneers of the west, Marie-Anne Lagimodière, grandmother to Louis Riel.
Over the more than 30-year history of Ottawa’s Children Storytelling Festival Ruth has tried on many roles, (programming, logistics,and artistic director). For 5 years, Ruth was Coordinator of Youth and Children programs for Ottawa StoryTellers.