Ken Mitchell is a local man who took his show on the road a long time ago but, for the most part, just 66 kilometres down the road to Regina. That said, he’s traveled a lot of roads - across the province, across the country and around the WORLD.

He was born in Moose Jaw in 1940 and raised on the farm south of here. He became a scholar, an educator, a poet, a novelist and a playwright. He became someone many in and around Moose Jaw are very proud of.

It was just a few years ago that Mitchell received an honorary Doctor of Letters – the first time in the University of Regina’s history that someone received that particular honour.

During his career he taught introductory English literature and creative writing as well as honours and graduate classes in Canadian literature. Mitchell retired from teaching at the University in 2005 but continues to write and to perform cowboy poetry with passion - drawing on his roots from the family farm.

Mitchell studied Journalism at Ryerson and after some time working as a reporter he returned to the classroom and earned his Master’s degree in English from the University of Saskatchewan – Regina Campus. He began teaching at the University in 1967. He has authored a number of books - poetry collections, stage plays, radio productions, film scripts, lectures and more.

Mitchell has received the Saskatchewan Order of Merit and the Order of Canada. He has also received a University of Regina Alumni Association Award for Excellence in Research.

This month, Ken Mitchell is preparing to accept the 2018 Lieutenant Governors Lifetime Achievement Award from the Saskatchewan Arts Board. He took some time to talk with CHAB’s Rob Carnie.

                                                                            PHOTO:  University of Regina Photography