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Embargoed till Sunday, December 1

Saskatchewan Book Awards 2002
Saskatoon author, Guy Vanderhaeghe swept the tenth annual Saskatchewan Book Awards with his latest book, The Last Crossing (McClelland & Stewart) winning Book of the Year, the Fiction Award and the Saskatoon Book Award. This is a novel with the grand sweep of the Western, of men, guns and horses crossing vast territories.

The Book Award's tenth anniversary also marked the launch of the Prix du livre français, sponsored by the Fondation fransaskoise. This biennial award for Saskatchewan authors writing in French went to Laurier Gareau of Regina, editor of 50 ans de radio (Editions de la Nouvelle Plume).

Currently studying at the University of New Brunswick, first time author, Sheri Benning was thrilled to be called to the podium twice for her poetry collection, Earth After Rain (Thistledown Press) which won both the First Book Award and the Poetry Award.

First time Regina author, Frances Greenslade won the Nonfiction Award for A Pilgrim in Ireland (Penguin Books) in which she describes tracing her ancestral roots in Ireland, but finally realizing that Canada was home.

The Regina Book Award went to author/journalist Edward Willett for his young adult science fiction novel Spirit Singer. Up against strong competition from several well-known children's authors, Candace Savage from Saskatoon won the Children's Literature award for her fascinating meld of centuries of history and magic in Wizards: An Amazing Journey through the Last Great Age of Magic.

Greg Marchildon and Sid Robinson won the Scholarly Writing Award for Canoeing the Churchill (Canadian Plains Research Center). Thorough research plus detailed maps, illustrations and anecdotes of the Churchill's people, make this volume both an historical guide to the famous fur trading route, and a contemporary picture of life on the Churchill River.

The Canadian Plains Research Center, Regina received the Award for Publishing for Their Names Live On. This tribute to Saskatchewan's war dead was made possible by the remarkable undertaking of La Ronge pilot, Doug Chisholm who has taken more than 3000 aerial photos of geo-memorial sites named in their honour. Regina writer Gerry Hill chronicled their stories.

Gabriel Dumont Institute, Saskatoon won the First Peoples Publishing award for The Bulrush Helps the Pond written in Cree and English by Ken Carriere of La Ronge. This ecological study for the young is illustrated with stunning photography and exquisite marshland drawings. The Publishing in Education award also went to Gabriel Dumont Institute for Métis Legacy by Barkwell, Dorion and Prefontaine. This generously illustrated book uses memoirs and pictures to demonstrate the contribution of Métis people to Canadian society.

The audience of nearly 500 were loud in their appreciation of guest speaker Robert Kroetsch, whose topic, "Writing Saskatchewan: Ten Years and a Celebration" discussed the accomplishments of this province's authors, individually and as a group. Connie Kaldor, who attended the first Saskatchewan Book Awards in 1993, further delighted the crowd with her unique combination of comment and song.

Growing interest in the Saskatchewan Book Awards draws enthusiastic crowds to annual Shortlist brunches in Regina and Saskatoon featuring readings by finalists. For the first time the Reading Tour visited La Ronge where the Regional and Public Libraries hosted a highly successful Shortlist Readings Reception. The Saskatchewan Publishers Group reported book sales of $2000 at the La Ronge readings. Luther College also held Shortlist readings on the U of R campus. Bookstores note increased sales for books nominated for Saskatchewan Book Awards, and book sales at the Book Awards gala have increased 160 percent in the last six years.

Saskatchewan Book Awards Inc., a non-profit, charitable organization, celebrates the best in Saskatchewan writing and publishing and gratefully acknowledges funding from the City of Regina, the Saskatchewan Arts Board, SaskCulture, and The Canada Council for the Arts. - 30 - For information and on-line photographs of award-winners, contact:
Joyce Wells, Executive Director
Phone: 306-569-1585

director@bookawards.sk.ca