Winnipeg, MB - Manitobans have selected North End Love Songs by Katherena Vermette as this year's featured book for the 7th Annual On The Same Page, a province-wide reading initiative. The book is published by The Muses' Company, an Imprint of J. Gordon Shillingford Publishing.
On The Same Page, a joint project between The Winnipeg Foundation and the Winnipeg Public Library, encourages all Manitobans to read and talk about the same book at the same time. The program includes book giveaways, author appearances and special events that will take place early in 2015.
"In spare, minimalist language, North End Love Songs attends to the demands of Indigenous and European poetics, braiding an elegant journey that takes us from Winnipeg’s North End out into the world. We enter the undocumented lives of its citizens and celebrate them through Katherena Vermette’s beautiful poems," The Governor General’s Literary Award for Poetry Judge’s Note 2013 says of Vermette’s piece.
One of four titles shortlisted for the 2014-15 On The Same Page program, North End Love Songs, garnered the most selections through online and in-person voting between June and September.
"Thanks to all who voted. I am truly honoured by this,” says Vermette.
“Once again, the public has selected an exceptional book for this year’s program,” says Rick Walker, Manager of Library Services. “Winnipeg’s North End is rich with history and cultural diversity, and Katherena Vermette’s North End Love Songs will allow the Library to celebrate these themes in the programs and events we plan.”
“On The Same Page is a great example of community-building. Through stories, we gain perspective, understanding and compassion. We are very pleased to partner with the Winnipeg Public Library on this initiative that creates common ground,” says Rick Frost, CEO of The Winnipeg Foundation.
On The Same Page was launched in 2008 and has featured works including:
- In Search of April Raintree by Beatrice Mosionier,
- Reading by Lightning by Joan Thomas,
- Juliana and the Medicine Fish by Jake MacDonald,
- The Setting Lake Sun / Le soleil du lac qui se couche by J.R. Léveillé,
- Manitowapow: Aboriginal Writings from the Land of Water edited by Niigaanwewidam James Sinclair and Warren Cariou, and
- The Lucky Ones: African Refugees’ Stories of Extraordinary Courage by Anne Mahon.
For more information, visit OnTheSamePage.ca.
Author Biography:
Katherena Vermette is a Métis writer of poetry, fiction and children's literature. North End Love Songs (The Muses’ Company), her first book, won the 2013 Governor General Literary Award for Poetry. Her poetry and fiction have appeared in several literary magazines and anthologies, including Manitowapow: Aboriginal Writings from the Land of Water. She holds a Master of Fine Arts from the University of British Columbia, and lives in Winnipeg.