Jun 3, 2015

Vancouver, BC - Congratulations to Langara Aboriginal Studies instructor, Shelley Wright who was named the 2015 recipient of the George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in Literature. 

Author and advocate for Indigenous rights, Wright was recognized for her latest book, Our Ice is Vanishing / Sikuvut Nunguliqtuq: A History of Inuit, Newcomers and Climate Change, which tackles the topic of climate change and the serious effect global warming is having on the north and the Inuit.

“I am very honoured to receive this award in memory of the groundbreaking playwright of The Ecstasy of Rita Joe,” said Wright. “It is always great to be recognized and to encourage people to learn more about our history. I was inspired to write the book after living and traveling in the Arctic and learning so much from the people who live there. I wanted to share this with a wider audience.”

The George Ryga Award is awarded to B.C. authors who have achieved an outstanding degree of social awareness in a newly published book. Past winners include Chief Bev Sellars, author of They Called Me Number One: Secrets and Survival at an Indian Residential School and Joel Bakan for his book, Childhood Under Siege: How Big Business Targets Children.

Our Ice is Vanishing reveals how the Inuit have become the witnesses and messengers for climate change. Through an examination of Inuit history and culture, alongside the experiences of newcomers to the Arctic seeking land, wealth, adventure, and power, Our Ice Is Vanishing describes the legacies of exploration, intervention, and resilience.

Wright will receive her $2,000 prize at the Vancouver Public Library on June 11 in the Alice MacKay Room. The event is open to the public.

About Langara

Located in beautiful Vancouver, BC, Canada, Langara College provides University, Career, and Continuing Studies education to more than 21,000 students annually. With more than 1,700 courses and 130 programs, Langara’s expansive academic breadth and depth allows students of all ages, backgrounds, and life stages to choose their own educational path.

Learn more.
Carly Barrett
Communications Officer
T 604.323.5176
cbarrett@langara.bc.ca