Ric Driediger read some parts of his new book Stories from the Churchill on March 29, 2023, at the Reid-Thompson Public Library. The book goes into detail about his canoeing trips and all of the crazy events that have happened during them. 

Driediger wrote his first book in 2020 called Paddling Northern Saskatchewan: A Guide to 80 Canoe Routes, which told readers about different canoe route they could take and enjoy. He was always told he had an overactive imagination when he was growing up and it turned into a skill for being a talented story-teller. 

“I became a writer because I am a story teller and I needed to put it down on paper what stories I was telling. It allowed me to let my creativity flow and refine the stories I was already telling, so I became a writer because I have stories to tell,” says Ric Driediger.  

Driediger told a few stories from the book, starting with the time he canoed Lanigan Creek with someone else. The two ended up getting covered in bird poop when a flock flew off the water and above them. In his next story he talked about how a canoe trip is often not normal and many things will probably go wrong, but it makes the experience more memorable. 

A common theme Driediger discussed was the beauty in getting lost. He talked about a group of ladies who had gotten lost on their trip but had so much fun when the panic wore off. The group returned a few years later to do their original plan and said they enjoyed the trip more when there was no destination. 

Driediger then talked about his solo trip that he did for six days and how he connected with nature and his imagination. He imagined a sasquatch sitting with him by the fire or the Little People from Indigenous tales watching over his campsite while he slept. He said there was beauty in solitary. 

The library often has events going on. It can be a great place to connect with a book or people in your community, as well as a location for events like this author reading. Be sure to look out for other events you may be interested in.