Guest short-listed for inaugural award

Métis writer Jacqueline Guest is among the five finalists in CODE’s Inaugural Burt Award for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Literature. Her book, Free Throw, published by Random House of Canada Ltd., is in competition with As Long as the Rivers Flow by James Bartleman, Shadows Cast by Stars by Catherine Knutsson, As I Remember It by Tara Lee Morin and Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. “These stories deal with real, contemporary issues and bring to life characters to which readers can relate,” said CODE Executive Director Scott Walter in a news release. “We’re confident that they will make a real contribution towards our goal of developing a life-long love of reading amongst youth.” Winners will be announced on Oct. 2 at a special gala event. Prizes of $12,000 (first), $8,000 (second) and $5,000 (third) will be awarded and publishers of the winning titles are each guaranteed purchase of a minimum of 2,500 copies to ensure that First Nations, Métis and Inuit youth across Canada will have access to the books through their community’s schools, libraries, or friendship centres.