IPPY award winners announced.
So much of the credit for this book goes to the many former Gunnar residents who spent hours on the phone and on email with me – and sometimes in person – sharing their personal stories about life in a small mining town in northern Canada in the 1950s and 60s. Without them, this story would not have happened. With them, a part of Canada’s history was brought to life. I am so very pleased to announce that with their efforts and support Sun Dogs and Yellowcake has won an IPPY award.
I am grateful to all. Names such as raconteur banker Bill Shurniak, favourite teacher Phyl Cameron, Joan Buck who related her love story and Gary Ciochetti who did the same, Terry Schorn who continues to be a big Sun Dogs’ booster and George Imeson who was lucky to make it to another movie. Kids like the Irwins, Laroques, Ian Cosgrove, Ken Hoddinott, the McFaddens and others who had the time of their life and proved kids were lucky to survive. Schleiffer, Bengts and Georgijevic – the names of post-war immigrants. The Majeaus, Raineys and O’Neills who still make me laugh when I read their stories. As always, my mother Barbara Sandberg whose stories and memory made this book possible.
And I think of some who sadly passed away during the writing of this book, including: too young – Donna Irwin and Gary Paulson; others very senior – Tom Edmonds and Mary Marcelet. And our very dear friend Gordon Braund.
The “IPPY” Awards, launched in 1996, are designed to bring increased recognition to the deserving but often unsung titles published by independent authors and publishers. Established as the first awards program open exclusively to independents, over 3,000 “IPPYs” have been awarded to authors and publishers around the world.
CANADA-WEST – BEST REGIONAL NON-FICTION
GOLD: My Decade at Old Sun, My Lifetime of Hell, by Arthur Bear Chief (Athabasca University Press)
SILVER: Honouring the Buffalo: A Plains Cree Legend, by Judith Silverthorne (Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing)
BRONZE: Sun Dogs and Yellowcake: Gunnar Mines – A Canadian Story, by Patricia Sandberg (Crackingstone Press)