Governor General’s Literary Award finalists Pierre Anctil and Judith Weisz Woodsworth, as well as Dominique Rankin and Marie-Josée Tardiff come together for a fascinating talk about their new books, both nominated in the Translation category. Written by Anctil and translated by Woodsworth, History of the Jews in Quebec explores four centuries of history, how the Jewish community has evolved over time in the region and the cultural context that encouraged the emergence of a unique Jewish community in Montreal in particular. They Called Us Savages, co-authored by Rankin and Tardiff and translated by Ben Vrignon, follows Rankin’s own powerful life story. Having been torn from his rightful place as the next Algonquin Hereditary Chief and Medicine Man and forced into the residential school system, Rankin interweaves his own journey of healing and self-discovery, into the book’s wider contemplation of changing relationships with the environment, leadership, racism, reconciliation and spirituality.

Interviewer: Roland Gulliver

Please return to this page on November 14 at 2pm ET to watch the event. The video will be available to view until November 21 at 11:59pm ET.

This free, virtual event is organized in collaboration with the Canada Council for the Arts to celebrate the finalists and winners of the Governor General’s Literary Awards (GGBooks). This year, TIFA is pleased to host finalists from the French-to-English Translation category. The winners will be announced on November 16.