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NEWS RELEASE

May 2, 2001

Contact: Cyndy Lorincz, Director of College Access, Regional Administration, Northern Lights College, Phone: 250.784.7513. Fax: 250.782.5233
Literary Artist to be Awarded NLC Honorary Associate of Arts Degree

Dawson Creek, BC. Shirlee Smith Matheson is the 2001 recipient of the Northern Lights College Honorary Associate of Arts Degree in recognition of her distinguished contributions to the literary arts. Matheson will receive her award at the NLC 16th annual Convocation, Friday, May 11th. The event will take place at Unchagah Hall, Dawson Creek at 3 pm.

Shirlee receiving her Honorary Arts Degree
from Northern Lights College, BC - May 11, 2001

Recipients of the Honorary Associate of Arts Degree are selected for their direct and significant contribution to the region served by NLC, for having a reputation of excellence which extends beyond the CollegeÕs regional borders, and with whom the College is proud to be associated. As such, NLC is delighted to bestow upon Matheson a most deserved honour and include her with other notable winners such as Ben Heppner, Leo Rutledge, Duncan MacRae, Father Pierre Alphonse Poullet, OMI, Donalda Grassie and David Ritchie.

Matheson has spent much of her life writing about people she has found unique and places she has called home. From the bucolic landscapes of Manitoba where she was born, to Alberta and the beautiful Peace Country of northeastern British Columbia, Matheson has been able to combine her appreciation for adventure with the gift of writing.

Since beginning her writing career over 20 years ago, she has published 11 fiction and non-fiction books for adults and young adults. Her most popular works have dealt with aviation Flying the Frontiers(Vols 1, 2 and 3), as well as a history of Calgary International Airport;the environment -This Was Our Valley; and history -Youngblood of the Peace, Flying Ghosts, The Gambler's Daughterand Keeper of the Mountains.

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While living in northeastern BC, Matheson contributed selections of her work to the anthologies Treeline I and Treeline II, published by Northern Lights College, which featured original poems, short stories and artwork by residents of the Peace Country and published by Northern Lights College. Her eleventh book, a young adult novel titled Keeper of the Mountains, was published in 2000 and is an historical account based in the North. Matheson's twelfth book will be published in 2002.

Matheson's work has been awarded the "99's", an Organization of Women Pilots Canadian Award in Aviation for her literary work; the Canadian Children's Book Centre Choice for Prairie Pictures, City Pictures, Flying Ghosts and The Gambler's Daughter; the Alberta Non-Fiction Award; and Finalist for BC Book Prize for This Was Our Valley. As well, she has won first prize with the BC Historical Federation for best article on BC history and has also received recognition by the Manitoba Young Readers' Choice award for Prairie Pictures and Flying Ghosts. Matheson is active in bringing to others her passion for, and insight into, the world of writing through readings, workshops and seminars throughout western Canada.

Northern Lights College (NLC) provides service to an extensive geographic area (308,000 plus square kilometers) in northern BC. Although distances are vast, it remains a close-knit organization. Kilometers are reduced not only by telecommunications, but also by our faculty and staffÕs personal approach.

Students may enroll in any one of the CollegeÕs 28 full-time programs or its numerous part-time courses, ranging from continuing education to vocational, and from technical to academic. Student numbers have risen since the CollegeÕs inception in 1975. Currently there are approximately 1,700 full time equivalent students.

Shirlee doing research at Fort Nelson Museum
with Marl Brown, founder and curator of the museum.

 

Young Alberta Book Society Tour
Thursday, October 18, 2001 - St. Andrew's Catholic School, High Prairie, AB (reading)

Shirlee is welcomed at St. Andrew's RC Separate School in High Prairie by a display done by librarian Carmelle Lizee. Students based their class projects on Shirlee's books, including the home economics classes baking food mentioned in The Gambler's Daughter(raison cookies, ginger snaps and cinnamon buns) which they served during her visit.

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Events are continually being arranged. Please check Action page reqularly for new information.

For direct bookings for author readings and/or writing workshops:
phone: 403.283.0843
fax: 403.283.8772