A man familiar to MBC listeners has taken the top prize in a new Canadian literary competition.
Richard Wagamese is the the inaugural winner of the Burt Award for First Nations, Metis and Inuit Literature.
Wagamese is the host of “One Native Life” and received the $12,000 first prize for his book, Indian Horse.
The new award recognizes outstanding literary works for young adults written by First Nations, Metis and Inuit authors.
Tara Lee Morin won the second prize for her work, As I Remember It, while the third prize went to James Bartleman for his book, As Long As the Rivers Flow.
The award’s book purchase and distribution program will ensure that a minimum of 2,500 copies of each of the three winning titles will be delivered to First Nations, Metis and Inuit youth across Canada through community libraries, schools, friendship centres and summer literacy camps.