Latest news with #MiriamToews
Winnipeg Free Press
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Authors aplenty in Order of Canada award recipients
Manitoba-born, Toronto-based novelist Miriam Toews wasn't the only Canadian author appointed to the Order of Canada in recent days. Toews was appointed on June 30 along with 82 other Canadians — a group that included a handful of other writers and illustrators. B.C. provincial health officer Bonnie Henry was among the appointees — she penned 2021's Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe, published by Allen Lane, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Elbows Up! Buy on Ottawa lawyer Maureen McTeer was also appointed; her books include 2022's Fertility: 40 Years of Change and 2004's In My Own Name. Buy on Montreal appointee Marianne Dubuc is a French children's author whose books include the Mr. Postmouse series as well as Devant ma maison and the Governor General's Award-winning Le lion et l'oiseau. Buy on Fellow Montrealer Élise Gravel is a prolific children's author and illustrator in both French and English whose 50 picture books include Club Microbe, the Disgusting Critters series and It's My Brain! Buy on Ottawa's David Pelly has written extensively about Canada's North, including books such as 2017's The Old Way North: Following the Oberholtzer-Magee Expedition and Ukkusiksalik: The People's Story. Buy on For a complete list of the most recent appointees to the Order of Canada, see ● ● ● A collection of Canadian authors have come together in a collection being published on Oct. 14 in response to recent aggression shown by the U.S. Elbows Up!: Canadian Voices of Resilience and Resilience was edited by Elamin Abdulmahmoud and features essays by Manitoba writers David A. Robertson, Niigaan Sinclair, Jillian Horton, Peter Mansbridge and the late Margaret Laurence as well as Margaret Atwood, Dave Bidini, Omar El Akkad, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Carol Off, Jen Sookfong Lee, Canisia Lubrin and others. Buy on ● ● ● Montreal author Chanel Sutherland has been named the winner of the 2025 Commonwealth Short Story Prize, an award worth £5,000 (around $9,147). Neuromancer The prize is awarded to the author who has penned the best piece of unpublished short fiction between 2,000-5,000 words. One finalist from five different regions (Canada and Europe. Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Pacific) wins the top prizes, with each of the other finalists receiving £2,500 (just over $4,500). Sutherland has a debut story collection, Layaway Child, forthcoming from House of Anansi Press in spring 2026. ● ● ● South Carolina-born, Vancouver-based sci-fi author William Gibson's seminal debut novel, 1984's Neuromancer, has been announced as being in production for a streaming series coming to Apple TV+. In a very brief teaser trailer released July 1 online, little is revealed about the series, which is based on Gibson's novel that follows a computer hacker and which introduced the work 'cyberspace' into the vernacular. The series will star Callum Turner along with Briana Middleton, Joseph Lee, Peter Sarsgaard, Dane DeHaan and others, and will be created for TV by Graham Roland (Dark Winds, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan). ● ● ● Every Second Friday The latest on food and drink in Winnipeg and beyond from arts writers Ben Sigurdson and Eva Wasney. Speaking of adaptations, a second version of Stephen King's The Running Man is heading for the big screen in the fall. The dystopian novel follows a character named Ben who must survive a reality TV show with all manner of dangerous, often-fatal challenges and deadly pursuers. The first version of The Running Man was released in 1987; it starred Arnold Schwarzenegger and was directed by Paul Michael Glaser. The new version stars Glen Powell (in Schwarzenegger's role), Colman Domingo, William H. Macy and others and was directed by Sean of the Dead's Edgar Wright. The film is slated to land in theatres in November 2025. books@ Ben SigurdsonLiterary editor, drinks writer Ben Sigurdson is the Free Press's literary editor and drinks writer. He graduated with a master of arts degree in English from the University of Manitoba in 2005, the same year he began writing Uncorked, the weekly Free Press drinks column. He joined the Free Press full time in 2013 as a copy editor before being appointed literary editor in 2014. Read more about Ben. In addition to providing opinions and analysis on wine and drinks, Ben oversees a team of freelance book reviewers and produces content for the arts and life section, all of which is reviewed by the Free Press's editing team before being posted online or published in print. It's part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
30-06-2025
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Author Miriam Toews among Manitobans named to Order of Canada
OTTAWA — Manitoba-born, Toronto-based novelist Miriam Toews has been appointed an officer of the Order of Canada. The 61-year-old Toews was one of three Manitobans among the 83 recipients of the Order of Canada announced on June 30 by Gov. Gen. Mary Simon. The governor general's website lauded Toews' 'unique ability to portray very human stories of overcoming adversity and finding meaning is a gift to her readers, and a source of inspiration to her adoring students and fans.' Toews was raised in Steinbach and began her literary career while living in Winnipeg, before moving to Toronto in 2009. SUPPLIED Manitoba-born author Miriam Toews has been given Canada's highest civilian honour. She is the author of nine books, primarily novel-length fiction, much of which is peppered with autobiographical components. Among her novels are 2004's A Complicated Kindness, winner of the Governor General's Literary Award for fiction, 2014's All My Puny Sorrows, winner of the Writers' Trust Fiction Prize, and 2018's Women Talking, which was shortlisted for the International Dublin Literary Awards and was made into an Oscar-nominated 2022 film. Toews' next book, A Truce That Is Not Peace, is her first work of autobiographical non-fiction, and will be published on Aug. 26 by Knopf Canada. Two Manitobans were named members of the Order of Canada: Albert Friesen, who helped build the province's biotechnology industry, and created WinRho, Canada' first biotech product; and Kathy Mulder, for her work to improve care for people with inherited bleeding disorders. She was the first woman and first Canadian to chair the World Federation of Hemophilia's Musculoskeletal Committee. The list of appointees also includes Marc-André Blanchard, who takes over in July as Prime Minister Mark Carney's chief of staff. Blanchard previously worked as a lawyer and as Canada's ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations. Dr. Theresa Tam, who retired in June as Canada's chief public health officer, will be inducted as an officer of the Order of Canada. Tam became a household name as she led the country's public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Bonnie Henry, who led British Columbia's pandemic response as the provincial health officer and is heading its public health response to the drug overdose crisis, joins Tam among the new appointees at the officer level. More than 8,200 people have been appointed to the Order of Canada since its creation in 1967. Many are national household names, including politicians, musicians, actors and writers. Many others are awarded for their contributions at a more local level to multiple fields, including science, medicine, education and the arts. The latest list includes several politicians, including former finance minister John Manley, who is being promoted to the companion level after initially being inducted as an officer of the Order of Canada in 2009. Companion is the highest level within the order, followed by the officer level, which are both generally awarded for contributions to Canada as a whole, or 'humanity at large.' A member of the Order of Canada recognizes distinguished service to a specific community or within a specific field. Maureen McTeer, a lawyer and author who has worked on gender issues and health guidelines, will be appointed as an officer. McTeer, who is married to former prime minister Joe Clark, is currently a visiting professor in the faculty of common law at the University of Ottawa. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. 'We proudly recognize each of these individuals whose dedication and passion for service not only enrich our communities but also help shape the fabric of our nation,' Simon said in a statement released with the list. 'Together, they inspire us to strive for greatness and to foster a future filled with hope and possibility.' Others appointed to the Order of Canada include biologist Ford Doolittle, musician Gilbert Donald Walsh, former senator Claudette Tardif and poet Louise Bernice Halfe, whose Cree name is Sky Dancer. Genealogist Stephen White received an honorary appointment. The inductees being announced Monday will be invested in ceremonies to be scheduled at a later date. — The Canadian Press, with files from Ben Sigurdson
CBC
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CBC
Writers Miriam Toews, Louise Bernice Halfe and Élise Gravel among new Order of Canada appointees
Social Sharing Manitoba-born author Miriam Toews, Cree poet Louise Bernice Halfe and Montreal writer and illustrator Élise Gravel are among the 83 new appointees to the Order of Canada announced on June 30, 2025. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon's office announced two new companions — the highest level of the Order of Canada — 19 officers and 62 members, the introductory honour level in the order. One appointment is a promotion within the Order of Canada and another is an honorary appointment. Toews has been made an officer for "her unique ability to portray very human stories of overcoming adversity and finding meaning," according to the official announcement. Born in Steinbach, Man., the Toronto-based Toews is the author of nine books including Fight Night, Women Talking, All My Puny Sorrows, A Complicated Kindness and The Flying Troutman. She has won the Governor General's Literary Award for fiction, Writers' Trust Fiction Prize and the Writers' Trust Engel Findley Award. A Complicated Kindness won Canada Reads in 2006, when it was defended by John K. Samson. Toews' latest book, A Truce That Is Not Peace, is a memoir coming out in August. Halfe, also known by her Cree name Sky Dancer, has been made a member. She is a poet from the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta. Her poetry collections include awâsis – kinky and disheveled, Bear Bones & Feathers, Blue Marrow, The Crooked Good and Burning in this Midnight Dream. She served as Canada's ninth Parliamentarian Poet Laureate and was a Poet Laureate of Saskatchewan. Through her work in both Cree and English, Halfe advocates for language learning and preservation and articulates the history and experiences of Indigenous Peoples. LISTEN | Louise B. Halfe Sky Dancer on awâsis — kinky and dishevelled: Gravel was made a member of the Order of Canada. She has written and illustrated over 50 books for children that have been translated into more than a dozen languages. Her books include Club Microbe, Not Me, The Bat, The Worst Book Ever, The Mushroom Fan Club, I Want a Monster! and What Is a Refugee. Gravel won the Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People in 2022 for her body of work. She lives in Montreal. Other literary appointees include Michel Rabagliati, Elizabeth Epperly and Marianne Dubuc. New member Rabagliati is a Montreal based cartoonist best known for his recurring character Paul. He has written several semi-autobiographical comics including Paul Up North, Paul Goes Fishing and Paul Joins the Scouts. Paul at Home was on the shortlist for the 2021 Governor General's Literary Award for translation. 25 years as an illustrator, Quebecer and his comic honoured with Canada Post stamp Epperly, based in Nova Scotia, was made a member for her scholarship and writing about the works of Lucy Maud Montgomery, the author of Anne of Green Gables. She founded the L.M. Montgomery Institute at the University of Prince Edward Island 24 years ago. Dubuc, a children's book author and illustrator from Montreal, was honoured as a member for her "stories, rooted in nature and imbued with kindness," as written in the announcement. Her books include The Bus Ride, Lucy and Company and Mr. Postmouse's Rounds. Her work has been translated into more than thirty languages. Writer Kim Thúy Ly Thanh, who was appointed a member of the Order in 2023, will take part in an investiture ceremony, receiving her insignia, on July 1, 2025 in Ottawa. The Quebec-based novelist and short story writer is known for her books Vi, Man and Ru, which won Canada Reads in 2015.
CTV News
30-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Three Manitobans named to Order of Canada
Miriam Toews, shortlisted for her novel Fight Night, arrives on the red carpet for the 2021 Scotiabank Giller Prize, in Toronto, Monday, Nov. 8, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young Three people with Manitoba connections, including an award-winning novelist, will receive Canada's highest civilian honour. Governor General Mary Simon announced 83 new appointees to the Order of Canada on Monday. Novelist Miriam Toews, best known for 'A Complicated Kindness' and 'Women Talking,' was named an Officer of the Order of Canada. The ranking is the second-highest level, awarded to 'recognize achievement and merit of a high degree, especially service to Canada or to humanity at large,' according to the Order's website. 'Her unique ability to portray very human stories of overcoming adversity and finding meaning is a gift to her readers, and a source of inspiration to her adoring students and fans,' a statement surrounding her nomination reads. Toews lives in Toronto but is originally from Steinbach. Two others from Winnipeg were named Members of the Order of Canada. Albert Friesen was recognized for his work to help build Manitoba's biotechnology industry, including his leadership to create WinRho, Canada' first biotech product. Kathy Mulder was named to the Order for her decades of work to improve and advance care for people with inherited bleeding disorders. She was the first woman, physiotherapist and Canadian to chair the World Federation of Hemophilia's Musculoskeletal Committee, according to the Order's website. Other Canadians named to the Order of Canada include former chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam, NHL player and coach Ted Nolan and MMA legend Georges St-Pierre. The ceremony where recipients receive their awards will take place at a later date.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Wordfest announces first 6 authors for 30th Imaginairium Festival in October
Writer Madeleine Thien, poses for the media with her book "Do Not Say We Have Nothing" during a photocall for the 6 shortlisted authors for the Man Booker Prize for fiction in London, Monday, Oct. 24, 2016. (AP/Alastair Grant) One night after hosting an anniversary celebration at the Central Library, Wordfest announced the first six authors confirmed to appear at the 2025 Imaginairium Festival. Emma Donahue, Miriam Toews, David A Robertson, Thomas King, Terry O'Reilly and Madeleine Thein will be among the bold-faced names featured in the 30th edition of the festival, which kicks off Oct. 14 and runs through Oct. 19 at a variety of venues across Calgary. Thomas King makes Literary Awards finalist Canadian author Thomas King is shown in a handout photo. (ho-RBC Taylor Prize-Hartley Goodweather / THE CANADIAN PRESS) The list includes a two-time Governor General Literary Award winner (Robertson), an Academy Award nominee (Donohue), a Giller Prize (and GG award) winner (Thien), a literary superstar (Toews), a master storyteller (King) and a radio and marketing icon (O'Reilly). Miriam Toews Winnipeg author Miriam Toews is shown in a 2008 handout photo. Toews and Kim Thúy are among the female authors dominating this year's Scotiabank Giller Prize long CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Carol Loewen They're just the tip of a literary iceberg that will include over 50 authors participating in over 40 shows, including live interviews, literary cabarets, storytelling extravaganzas, solo spotlights and a literary death match to be named later. David A. Robertson David A. Robertson, an award-winning author and member of the Norway House Cree Nation, discovered his book titled The Great Bear had been temporarily removed from schools in Ontario's Durham District School Board pending a review. (Source: Instagram/davidrobertsonwriter) 'This first batch of authors is everything that makes the Imaginairium an unmissable experience for curious, plugged-in Calgarians of all ages,' said Wordfest creative ringleader Shelley Youngblut, in a media release. Emma Donoghue Author Emma Donoghue speaks during the press conference for "Room" at the 2015 Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Monday, Sept, 14, 2015. (Marta Iwanek / THE CANADIAN PRESS) 'The superstars are all provocative, genre-bending, at the top of their craft, and wildly entertaining,' she added. 'If you're someone who loves great stories—and great minds—the Imaginairium is where you'll want to be this fall.' Wordfest Wordfest returns to Calgary Oct. 11 Tuesday night at the Central Library, Wordfest celebrated its 30th anniversary with readings by seven Calgary authors including Ali Bryan, Will Ferguson, Cheryl Foggo, Marcello Di Cintio, Richard Harrison, Joshua Whitehead and Teresa Wong, and music by Tom Phillips. The 2025 Imaginairium Festival takes place between Oct. 14 and Oct. 19. For festival passes, go here.
