Ruth Stewart-Verger was born to a storytelling family, thus learned her art in self-defense. Her first love is for stories of people, their struggles and their triumphs! She has told across Canada, from coast to coast to coast, in the mountains, on the prairies, throughout Ontario's woodlands, in schools, libraries, community halls and festivals.

Ruth has fallen in love with tales of Canada's historical heroines. In 2002 she delved into history and became enamored with the story of Marie-Anne Lagimodiere. Diving into the National Archives, the Manitoba Archives and the Hudson's Bay Archives, bringing together information from diverse sources Ruth created a storytelling tapestry that was performed beneath a large painting of voyageurs racing the rapids. People in the audience were wiping away tears as the last words and the last notes faded away.

In 2003 Ruth performed the story of Emily Murphy as part of the 11th Annual National Storytelling Conference. Her setting was unique and appropriate. Beside the Peace Tower, and the statues dedicated to the Famous Five while rain fell and lightning cracked Ruth performed her moving piece to a hundred storytelling professionals from all across Canada.

She has since reworked and recorded both the Marie-Anne Lagimodiere and Emily Murphy stories on CD's.

Besides the historical tellings, the literary stories and the traditional tales, Ruth is also an accomplished String teller. Ruth was inspired by author and folklorist Camilla Gryski, and Jane Smith (a teacher and librarian) through workshops, books, and research.

Ruth Stewart-Verger has taught hundreds of children (grades 1-6) and adults the tactile pleasure of weaving many figures into a tale.

As well as at festivals, professional conferences and training conferences, and in schools, libraries, community centers, Ruth Stewart-Verger has been asked to perform for the Finnish Embassy in Ottawa, the Yukon International Storytelling Festival and for the Cape Breton Storytelling Symposium in Nova Scotia. She tells stories to a wide range of audiences: from University faculty and alumni, to professional groups, to preschool children. Each audience requires a different story and different approach. Ruth's repertoire is divergent and eclectic.

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