2 July 2008
George Elliott Clarke Receives Order of Canada Appointment

Gaspereau Press is delighted to share the news that author George Elliott Clarke has been appointed an officer to the Order of Canada. Clarke has been recognized "for his contributions as a poet, professor and volunteer who has brought his original voice and his perspective on the Black experience to contemporary Canadian literature, and who has generously shared his time and talents with young and emerging writers."

Says Clarke, "I am honoured and delighted to accept this appointment on behalf of my parents – and as a poet, to enjoy this approval of my compatriots."

Governor General Michaëlle Jean announced the new appointments on Tuesday. Seventy-five appointments were made, with five companions, 26 officers, 43 members and one honorary officer. Other notable inclusions in the arts fields this year were musician and radio personality Randy Bachman, author Audrey Thomas, and publishers Tim and Elke Inkster of The Porcupine’s Quill. Established in 1967, the Order of Canada recognizes outstanding achievement, particularly in service to Canada. The order’s motto is Desiderantes Meliorem Patriam (They desire a better country). The new appointees will be presented with their insignia in a ceremony to be held later this year.

BACKGROUND
George Elliott Clarke was born in Windsor, Nova Scotia. Clarke won the Governor General’s Literary Award for poetry in 2001 for Execution Poems, published by Gaspereau Press. In 1998, Clarke won the prestigious Portia White Prize. He is presently lecturing at the University of Toronto. Among his most recent publications are the novel George & Rue, and two dramatic poems, Québécité (GP, 2003) and Trudeau (GP, 2007).

For more information, contact:
Beth Crosby, Gaspereau Press
47 Church Avenue, Kentville, NS, B4N 2M7
(902) 678-6002 | booksales@gaspereau.com
www.gaspereau.com