Sculpted by Storms

On September 30, 2026, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Kingston audiences are invited to experience an evening of powerful conversation, music, and reflection as LodgePole Arts Alliance and Kingston WritersFest present Sculpted by Storms: An Evening of Storytelling and Connection at the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts.

This special collaboration brings together some of Canada’s most respected Indigenous voices for an event that celebrates storytelling as a pathway to understanding, resilience, and community. Whether you are an avid reader, passionate about Canadian literature, or looking for a meaningful way to recognize the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, Sculpted by Storms promises an unforgettable evening.

The event features acclaimed Cree author Michelle Good in conversation with celebrated broadcaster, champion of Indigenous voices, and Queen’s University Chancellor Shelagh Rogers. Together, they will explore Good’s highly anticipated new novel, Eliza Sunshine, a sweeping family saga that follows three generations of Cree women whose lives are shaped by family, survival, identity, and their enduring connection to the land.

Michelle Good has become one of Canada’s most important literary voices. Her debut novel, Five Little Indians, received widespread critical acclaim, earning the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Amazon Canada First Novel Award, and national recognition after being selected as Canada Reads 2022. Before becoming an award-winning author, Good dedicated much of her career to advocating for residential school survivors as a lawyer, helping amplify stories that had too often gone unheard. Her work continues to challenge, educate, and inspire readers across Canada.

Adding another powerful dimension to the evening is special guest Kym Gouchie, an Indigenous singer-songwriter and cultural ambassador from the Lheidli T’enneh Nation. Blending folk, roots, and traditional Indigenous music, Gouchie’s performances are deeply rooted in language revitalization, healing, social justice, and cultural resilience. Her music offers audiences an emotional and uplifting complement to the evening’s literary conversation.

Presented through a partnership between LodgePole Arts Alliance and Kingston WritersFest, Sculpted by Storms reflects a shared commitment to creating spaces where Indigenous stories, experiences, and perspectives are celebrated and heard. It is an opportunity not only to engage with exceptional Canadian artists but also to reflect on the importance of listening, learning, and building stronger connections through storytelling.

Whether you are a longtime admirer of Michelle Good’s work, discovering Indigenous literature for the first time, or simply seeking a meaningful cultural event in Kingston, Sculpted by Storms offers an evening of conversation, music, and inspiration that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Event Details

Date: Wednesday, September 30, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, Kingston

Featuring:

* Michelle Good
* Shelagh Rogers
* Special musical guest Kym Gouchie