Both Saskatchewan books that made it onto the Governer General’s literary shortlist are about First Nations topics.
“A World We Have Lose: Saskatchewan Before 1905” by Saskatoon’s Bill Waiser and “Firewater: How Alcohol is Killing My People (And Yours)” by La Ronge’s Harold Johnson are among the five nominees in the non-fiction category.
Johnson’s recently published book has been getting plenty of attention for stirring up dialogue on the topic of alcoholism in First Nations communities, and Johnson says it’s time for tough talk on the subject.
Waiser’s book looks at Saskatchewan’s history before 1905 through a First Nations lens.
They are among the 68 works pulled from the 1,450 titles that had been submitted.
The winners will be announced on Oct. 25, and the authors will receive their award from Governor General David Johnston in Rideau Hall on Nov. 30.
This is the 80th year these awards have been handed out, and Canada Council for the Arts says each winner received $25,000 and the publisher of each winning book receives $3,000 to support promotional activities.
Non-winning finalists each receive $1000.
You can see the full list of nominees here.