Liz Howard from Chapleau becomes youngest winner of Griffin Poetry Prize

By Michael J Morris
Liz Howard became the youngest person to win the prestigious Griffin Poetry Prize of $65,000 for her book 'Infinite Citizen of the Shaking Tent'.

Not only is Liz the youngest winner, but the first to do so with her debut collection of poems. In 2015, Liz was a finalist for the Governor General's Award for poetry.

Born in Timmins, but raised in Chapleau, Liz is the daughter of Tamara (nee Turcotte) and Sylvain Rousseau. Her birth father was Russell Howard.

After graduating from Chapleau High School at the top of  her class in 2003, Liz attended the University of Toronto, graduating with an Honours Bachelor of Science degree with distinction in 2007.

In deciding the prize winners, the Griffin committee looked at 633 books of poetry from more than 40 countries, according to news reports.

At the awards ceremony, Liz said she has  several different projects in mind, and "it's hard to focus. All I want to do is write. All I want to do is this one thing."

She also paid particular attention to youth: "I know a lot of our youth today are struggling, especially our First Nations youth. And I guess I just wanted to say that it can get better. And for me, poetry made life possible for me. It made life tolerable for me - both reading it and writing it.

In an earlier interview Liz commented that ""My childhood in Chapleau, especially the significant amount of time I spent in the woods and lakes, are foundational to my writing. I am also very proud of my Anishinaabe (Ojibway) heritage and write about many First Nations issues."

Former Chapleau reeve Kenneth Russell received education award from Ontario Association of Radiological Technologists in 1983

Kenneth Russell, who served several terms as reeve of Chapleau, was  the recipient of the 1983 Ontario Association of Radiological Technologists Education Award for his contributions to medical radiation technology education.

The award, is presented annually to a member who "meritoriously contributed to the medical radiation technology field of education."

After serving in the Royal Canadian Air Force, Ken received training in medical education technology in New Brunswick and had become a registered  diagnostic technician by 1961. A year later he had obtained his registration in radiotherapy, according to a story in the Chapleau Sentinel.

He went to Prince Edward Island where he helped establish a radiography training school, as well as serving as an instructor at it until 1965.

Moving to Sudbury to accept position as chief technologist at Sudbury Memorial Hospital, Ken initiated the Sudbury School of Radiography where he was chief instructor until 1969.

He was appointed to the position of technical director of the Northern School of Radiography and subsequently was chairman of the Northern Ontario Health Science Schools which incorporated nursing, medical lab technologist and radiography programs.

Ken was big supporter of Veterans Way (Pat Purich Russell photo)

Continuing his interest in education he was appointed co-ordinator of Health Science programs at Cambrian College.

In 1973, as plans were moving forward in Chapleau for  the construction of a new hospital to replace the Lady Minto Hospital which had opened in 1914, Ken moved to Chapleau to take the position of radiology supervisor at the hospital.

Ken has received special training in gastrontestinal fluoroscopic procedures as well as completing CMA departmental management course. He received his administrator's diploma and advanced certificate of the CAMRT. 

Ken, who is now retired, and living in Chapleau, also became very involved in community life. He was active in Branch No 5 (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion, and the Chapleau Cadet movement as an instructor. First elected as a councillor, Ken became reeve and served several terms.. working for the betterment of the community.

As an aside, most of us who know Ken would agree had he so chosen, he may have had a most successful career as a professional singer. Over the years he was called upon to sing at many special occasions. Ken has been an outstanding citizen of Chapleau and made a significant contribution in many ways to the community.

My thanks to Doug Greig who made me aware of the education award that Ken received. My email is mj.morris@live.ca