The Airdrie Public Library will be kicking off its 2015 Author Series on April 17 with author and former judge John Reilly.
This will be the first year in what the APL hopes to be a long run of authors visiting the library.
“The library has had authors visit for a number of years,” said APL Arts and Culture Co-ordinator Veronica Funk.
“This is the first time we are doing it with a local sponsorship. We will now be able to add to the events.”
Funk said APL plans to bring in a total of four adult authors and three children’s authors to the library and have them read from their books.
The first author that will be presented is John Reilly who will be reading from his book Bad Judgment The Myths of First Nations Equality and Judicial Independence in Canada.
Reilly who has since retired as a judge, was the youngest judge ever named to the Provincial Court of Alberta. He predominantly served as the circuit judge for the Stoney Indian Reserve in Morley, Alta., during his 33-year judicial career.
Reilly gained an interest in justice for aboriginals and according to Funk, Reilly saw the failure of the “white” legal system in the justice of aboriginal people.
Due to these findings, Reilly wanted to help improve the format of justice to the First Nations people in the community of Morley. During his tenure as judge, Reilly experience first hand the conflict with the Canadian judicial system and with leaders of both Canadian and First Nations governments.
The free event will include wine and cheese for those in attendance, and traditional First Nations dancing as a form of entertainment. The dancing is going be performed by Delree Dumont and her friends in full regalia. The night will then be capped-off by Reilly reading from his book and the opportunity for attendees to purchase the publication.
The APL ask attednees RSVP for the event online and for free at airdriepubliclibrary.ca.
“(The event) is open to everybody,” said Funk. “You do not have to be a library member to attend.”
The next author in to be featured in the series is Gail Bowen who will be at a special evening at the APL on May 13.
