2024 BC & Yukon Book Prizes
October 01st, 2024
The 40th Annual BC & Yukon book prizes Gala was held on the 28th of September, 2024, and the following authors emerged winners within eight categories. Keep reading to learn more about the winners, and the winning titles.
Ethel Wilson Fiction Prize
This prize is awarded to the author of the best original work of literary fiction, and the late Darrel J. McLeod (at right) won it for his book, Season in Chezgh’un (D&M 24.95). (McLeod died earlier this year.) The award was accepted by D&M publisher, Anna Comfort O’Keeffe on behalf of Darrel J. McLeod. McLeod’s story follows James, a Cree man from Northern Alberta, who enjoys a comfortable life in Vancouver but struggles with feeling disconnected from his culture. After his mother’s death, he takes a job as a principal in a remote Dakelh community, hoping to reconnect with his roots. However, upon confronting the poverty of the Indigenous community as well as his own unexpected cultural disruption, James’ self-destructive tendencies are triggered. This prize is supported by Friesens.
Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize
Jess Housty
Author Jess Housty took home the Dorothy Livesay Poetry Prize for her poetry collection, Crushed Wild Mint (Nightwood $19.95). Housty’s poems highlight themes of land love, ancestral wisdom, and the poet’s personal experiences as a parent and herbalist who is deeply connected to their homeland. Housty grapples with the natural and supernatural, exploring transformation and the profound connection between bodies and the land. The poems invoke images of blossoms, feathers and snow, while inviting readers to immerse themselves in sensory experiences. Housty’s writing engages with the mountains, animals, and ancestors of their homeland, offering reflections on history, ceremony, grief and thriving. This prize is awarded to the author of the best book of poetry and is supported by International Web Express.
Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize
John Vaillant
Named “Best Book of the Year” by The Guardian newspaper, Fire Weather (Knopf Canada $19.08) by John Vaillant won the Hubert Evans Non-Fiction Prize. In May 2016, Fort McMurray, the heart of Canada’s petroleum industry, was engulfed by a devastating wildfire, forcing 88,000 people from their homes in a matter of hours. Vaillant examines this catastrophic event as a grim harbinger of the future in a world increasingly prone to wildfires due to climate change. He traces the complex relationship between humanity and fire throughout history, highlighting its role in shaping culture and civilization. Vaillant explores the intertwined histories of the oil industry and climate science, offering a sobering account of the destructive power of modern forest fires and the lives forever altered by them. This prize is awarded to the author of the best original non-fiction literary work and is supported by UBC Creative Writing.
Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize
Ian Kennedy
Ian Kennedy’s The Best Loved Boat: The Princess Maquinna (Harbour $34.95) won the Roderick Haig-Brown Regional Prize. The book tells of a Canadian Pacific Railway ship built in 1913, that navigated the treacherous waters of Vancouver Island’s west coast for over forty years, earning a place as one of BC’s most cherished vessels. Known affectionately as “Old Faithful,” the Princess Maquinna served as a vital link for Indigenous communities, settlers, and workers along the coast, making stops at numerous ports over its seven-day journeys. Kennedy recounts the ship’s battles with extreme weather and highlights the discrimination faced by Indigenous and Chinese passengers. Through rich detail, he brings to life a bygone era when the west coast of Vancouver Island thrived with mines, canneries and European settlements. This prize is awarded to recognize the author of the book that contributes most to the enjoyment and understanding of British Columbia and Yukon. The prize is supported by Mosaic Books and SFU Creative Writing.
Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize
Wanda John-Kehewin with her daughter Miya Alteza. Photo Tammy Jayne Quinn.
Wanda John-Kehewin took home the Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize for Hopeless in Hope (HighWater Press $16.95). The story follows Eva Brown who lives in the oldest part of Hope. With her mother, Shirley, struggling with alcoholism and her only friend distancing herself, Eva finds solace in her cat, Toofie, her nohkum, and her writing. When her nohkum is hospitalized and her brother sent to foster care, Eva ends up in a group home. As she grapples with her anger towards her mother, she receives Shirley’s diary from her nohkum, hoping it will shed light on their family’s past and help her understand her mother better. This prize is awarded to the best book written for children which has not been highly illustrated, and is supported by BC Teachers’ Federation, Vi Hughes and Marquis.
Christie Harris Illustrated Children’s Literature Prize
Jordan Scott
Written by Jordan Scott and illustrated by Sydney Smith, My Baba’s Garden (Neal Porter Books $24.99) won this prize. The story describes the special bond between a young boy and his grandmother, Baba. Despite the language barrier, they communicate through shared activities like gardening, eating and walking to school. The boy learns the value of food and the importance of caring for others from Baba, whose memories of wartime scarcity influence her perspective. When Baba moves in with the boy and his parents, he gets the opportunity to reciprocate the care she has always shown him. This prize is presented to the best illustrated book written for children, and is supported by Vi Hughes, Sheryl McFarlane, and Vancouver Kidsbooks.
Bill Duthie Bookseller’s Choice Award
Jess Housty won her second BC & Yukon prize this year, with the Bill Duthie Bookseller’s Choice Award for Crushed Wild Mint. This prize is presented to the originating publisher and author of the best book in terms of public appeal, initiative, design, production, and content. It is supported by Ampersand, Association of Book Publishers of BC, BC Booksellers Association and Laughing Oyster Bookshop.
Jim Deva Prize for Writing That Provokes
Helen Knott
Helen Knott was awarded the Jim Deva Prize for Writing That Provokes for her book, Becoming a Matriarch (Knopf Canada $32.00). The book chronicles Knott’s journey through grief, love and legacy after losing her mother and grandmother within six months. As she navigates the complexities of matriarchy, martyrdom and codependency, Knott discovers the need to let go of both her loved ones and her former identity. The book explores themes of mourning, sobriety and generational dreaming, with poetic insights and heartfelt storytelling. From the landscapes of Northeastern British Columbia to the streets of Antigua, Guatemala, Knott explores the true meaning of matriarchy and the transformative power of embracing one’s “becoming.” This prize is presented to a book that challenges or provokes ideas and forces that shape what writing, art, and/or society can become, and is supported by Bruce Smyth.
Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Literary Excellence
Keith Maillard. Photo by Mary Maillard
This prize recognizes BC writers who have contributed to the development and merit of BC literature and was awarded to Keith Maillard this year. This is what the jury had to say about the selection of Maillard for this prize: “The jury carefully reviewed all nominees, discussed their excellent work, and came to a unanimous decision. We were honoured to be asked to adjudicate this award. We wish to recognize that all the nominees are deserving of our respect and gratitude for their contributions to the literary community in BC. Together, we wholeheartedly choose Keith Maillard as this year’s recipient.
The depth and scope of Keith’s five decade-long career is undeniable. He authored almost two dozen books; he has written articles, reviews, essays poems and contributed to anthologies; he continues to write and mentor the next generation of writers. Keith is an influential teacher and mentor at UBC’s School of Creative Writing. He champions the craft of writing and works to uplift new voices. He has had a profound influence on writers and his students/mentees all speak of a specific kindness and generosity, a genuine willingness to find what a writer needs to say and to help them hone their unique style and voice.
We recognize that a career of excellence involves far more than what meets the reader on a page. Writers with influence touch people. They work in life’s margins to foster creativity, courage, exploration and self-discovery. We would be remiss not to mention the countless readers, students and fellow writers who have been influenced by his work.”
Borealis Prize: The Commissioner of Yukon Award for Literary Contribution
This prize recognizes the excellence in contributions by the writers, publishers, editors and literary community builders of Yukon. And Lhù’áán Mân Ye Shäw (Kluane First Nation Elders) won the Borealis Prize this year.
This is what the jury had to say about their selection: “Individually and together, members of the Kluane First Nation Elders have contributed to the storytelling, literary, and publishing community in Yukon for decades. They have provided stories, knowledge, and teachings to several academic, heritage, linguistic and scientific publications. For six years, they collaborated with editors to do the challenging and time-consuming work of transforming oral stories to the written word for the book, Lhù’ààn Mân Keyí Dań Kwánje Nààtsat Kluane Lake Country People Speak Strong (2023). The 22 Elders who contributed to this publication have made a significant contribution to Yukon literature, expanding the space for Indigenous voices in the literary community.”
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