Jane Ash Poitras

Author Kroetsch killed in car crash

Colleagues, friends and passing acquaintances were stunned to hear of the death of one of Canada’s literary giants.

Robert Kroetsch, a renowned poet, novelist, editor and professor, was killed in a car collision Tuesday night while returning from the ArtsPeak Festival, a weekend poetry fest in Canmore.

A week shy of his 84th birthday, Kroetsch was involved in a two-vehicle car crash on Highway 21 and Highway 623 near Ministik as he returned to his home in Leduc. According to police, five other people were injured. One is in critical condition.

“I can’t believe what I’m hearing. It’s unbelievable,” said ArtsPeak Festival director Ric Proctor in a voice choked with emotion. “He was a kind, gentle and generous man. I can’t tell you how sad I am and our community as well. He certainly captured our attention.”

At the festival Kroetsch had volunteered his time and completed several poetry readings alongside emerging writers.

“He was awesome. We were so blessed to have a man of his stature at our festival. Just being here typified him as he worked with both established and emerging writers. He really made a meaningful impact on everyone he met.”

Kroetsch was born and raised in Heisler, Alta. and devoted his literary efforts to chroniclling the lives of Albertans. A prolific writer, he penned seven non-fiction books, nine books of fiction and 14 poetry collections, including Seed Catalogue and The Hornbooks of Rita K., a nominee for the Governor General’s Literary Awards.

One of his best-known novels, The Studhorse Man, won the Governor General’s Literary Award for fiction in 1969.

It seemed fitting the last award Kroetsch received was a Golden Pen Award for Lifetime Achievement presented by the Writers Guild of Alberta (WGA) on June 11.

“This was his first WGA conference in 30 years. This was also our 30th anniversary. He was a founder and it’s a loss for all Alberta writers,” explained spokesman Nicholas Mather.

“He came to the first meeting and gave an impassioned speech that all writers should be welcome, not just published writers. He was instrumental in providing a direction the guild should go. We have lost a literary titan and it is sad.”

Along the way Kroetsch became both mentor and friend to some of Alberta’s most powerful voices including Rudy Wiebe, Myrna Kostash and Aritha van Herk.

Wiebe nominated Kroetsch for the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta Distinguished Artist Awards, a biennial celebration founded by former lieutenant governor Lois Hole.

54. Jane Ash Poitras: New Acquisitions of Contemporary First ...

(2003).

Jane Ash Poitras has received RCA designation from the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts; of Cree/Dene descent, she continues to observe and participate in the practices of various Native cultures, seeking to share knowledge of the First Nations in her art.

Today (and every Wednesday), admission to the ROM is free from 3:30pm until 5:30pm, so take advantage of your opportunity to check out Jane Ash Poitras’ fantastic works for no cost! For more information on this and other exhibits, and to purchase tickets for other dates/times to visit the ROM, go to www.rom.on.ca .

Jane Ash Poitras, the Shamanic experience : new paintings and works on paper

Jane Ash Poitras, cycle of life

Jane Ash Poitras, rituals

In their footsteps, contributions of First Nations people in Alberta

Against the current, Canadian women talk about fifty years of life on the job