Saskatoon group meets to recognize Joni Mitchell

A group of concerned citizens met today in Saskatoon to brainstorm ways to honour music icon Joni Mitchell.

For years, the famous singer has tried to find a home for many artifacts from her early career--including her graduation dress and scrapbooks that her mother kept in the city.

However, any plan to showcase the material in Saskatoon has fallen through.

Now, family friends say Mitchell is getting frustrated and is considering giving the collection to another city.

Former premier Lorne Calvert is part of an informal committee to showcase the materials and honour Mitchell.

He's clear that the group isn't looking at a traditional 'bricks-and-mortar' arrangement.

"We're not here talking about the kind of things that Timmins did around Shania Twain," he said. "That didn't work out, and no one is thinking that sort of thing. Instead, we want to use existing facilities, existing and emerging programs and to tie them in with Ms. Mitchell."

The group is considering a wide-ranging number of ideas--from housing the collection in university archives to finding out ways to work with new and emerging artists.

"It's really much more than the collection," he said. "It's a way to recognize as a city and province, this woman who had such a profound impact on the cultural life of this continent and beyond."

The group says plans are still in very early stages and hasn't formally contacted Mitchell yet.

It plans to meet again this fall.