Traditional Welcome from Tuyúsalanexw | Opening the 2026 Festival

Tuyúsalanexw Kenny Nahanee is a Squamish Elder, Father, Grandfather, and Great-Grandfather. Born and raised in the Lower Mainland, he did his schooling on the North Shore. His knowledge of Coast Salish culture was limited for the first 35 years of his life, but he has learned much more in the past few decades. Also known as “Chief,” Tuyúsalanexw has been a member of the Squamish Seafaring Canoe Family since 2000 and has emceed many Elder dinners.

FREE!

Registration is required to secure your spot. Drop-in seating may be available but is not guaranteed.

Interested in attending more than one Festival event?
You must register for each event separately to guarantee your spot at each event.

For more information on this and other festival events: www.northshorewritersfestival.com

The North Shore Writers Festival (NSWF) is presented in partnership by North Vancouver City Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, and West Vancouver Memorial Library.

The NSWF would not be made possible without support from the Friends of the Library groups at NVDPL and WVML, North Shore Writers’ Association, Kidsbooks, and the North Shore News.

The Festival takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) , and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. The Coast Salish Peoples have long used oral storytelling to pass on and preserve their cultural teachings. This powerful tradition highlights the important role that stories play in our lives. We are grateful to host the North Shore Writers Festival on the lands of these Nations and honour the art of storytelling.

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Host or Publisher North Shore Writers Festival