Abbott wins Purdy BC Award
August 18th, 2026
The Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts (SCFWA) has announced George M. Abbott as the winner of the inaugural Al and Eurithe Purdy BC Award for Excellence for his timely and essential book, Unceded: Understanding British Columbia’s Colonial Past and Why It Matters Now (UBC Press / Purich Books, $29.95).
The $5,000 prize was presented to Abbott by Anna Comfort O’Keeffe, chair of the festival committee, during the opening of the 2026 Sunshine Coast Festival of the Written Arts on Thursday, August 13.
Established by Eurithe Purdy in memory of her late husband, renowned Canadian poet Al Purdy, the award celebrates outstanding works of fiction or non-fiction written by a British Columbia author and published by a BC-based publisher.
As the current Chief Commissioner of the BC Treaty Commission and a former provincial cabinet minister, Abbott brings a rare insider perspective to Unceded. The book chronicles more than 150 years of BC–Indigenous relations, unpacking the deep-rooted historical policy decisions, early colonial refusal to negotiate treaties, and the ongoing struggle to resolve Aboriginal title.
The jury—composed of author Brian Thomas Isaac (All the Quiet Places), author Kara Stanley (Fallen) and retired educator Colleen Hourigan—praised the book’s archival depth and vital contemporary resonance:
“[Unceded is] a timely and meticulously drawn chronology of the historical injustices imposed by the government of BC, clearly demonstrating how current debates regarding First Nations’ rights and land titles are the direct result of a series of policy decisions by key government officials beginning in the mid-19th century… This is a book of both impressive archival research and profound relevance for the contemporary challenges faced in creating a better, more just, future. This book is written in clear and engaging language and should be required reading for all British Columbians.”
Abbott’s work was selected from a competitive three-title shortlist that also included One Arrow Left: The Memoir of Secwépemc Knowledge Keeper Cecilia DeRose by Cecilia DeRose with Sage Birchwater (Caitlin Press, 2025) and Rufous and Calliope by Sarah Louise Butler (Douglas & McIntyre, 2025).
“I was extremely pleased with the response to the first Purdy BC Award for Excellence,” said Eurithe Purdy. “The shortlist was exceptional, and Unceded is a worthy winner. My congratulations to all concerned.”
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