Month: June 2026

FORT McMURRAY, Alta., June 25, 2026 — The Many Names of Robert Cree has received a Silver Medal from the 2026 Independent Publisher Book Awards (the IPPYs), marking the memoir’s third win and fifth nomination since publication.

“I never imagined this when I decided to tell my story,” said Elder Cree, a member of Fort McMurray 468 First Nation on Treaty 8 territory. “I am deeply honoured my story has been recognized so widely. My hope has always been that it would help build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples. I am grateful to every reader and listener who has made that possible.”

This Silver Medal in the IPPYs’ Canada-West category follows a remarkable awards season for the book. Elder Cree was the first Indigenous author recognized in the Memoir-Biography category when the book received a Bronze Medal from the 2026 Axiom Business Book Awards. In early June, it received the Alberta Literary Award for best memoir, presented by the Writers’ Guild of Alberta.

The book is also nominated for a High Plains Book Award, with the winner to be announced in October 2026, and was a Finalist for the 2026 Award of Excellence from the Crime Writers of Canada for best nonfiction.

Published by Toronto’s ECW Press, The Many Names of Robert Cree is a first-person account of survival in a brutally racist residential school system designed to erase Indigenous culture, language, and knowledge, and of a life rebuilt through the wisdom of his ancestors and a commitment to reconciliation. Now a respected Elder and spiritual leader, Cree champions forgiveness as a force that brings healing and transformation for all.

The book is available in bookstores and on all major platforms in print, eBook, and audiobook narrated by celebrated Indigenous actor Lorne Cardinal.

About the Independent Publisher Book Awards: The IPPY Awards were founded in 1996 with a mission to recognize and promote independently published books. With over 100 categories, the awards honor excellence in general, regional, and eBook publishing, spanning fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoirs, and specialty areas. Judging panels include experts from editing, design, reviewing, bookselling, and library fields, and winners receive gold, silver, or bronze medals. This is the 30th anniversary of the awards. For more information on the 2026 recipients, visit the IPPY Awards website.

About the Alberta Literary Awards: The Alberta Literary Awards were created by the Writers’ Guild of Alberta in 1982 to recognize excellence in writing by Alberta authors. Submissions are evaluated on originality, creativity, and quality of writing, and entries are judged by an independent jury recruited by the WGA. The awards span multiple genres, including fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, drama, and children’s literature, with winners announced each spring at an annual gala. For more information on the 2026 nominees, visit the Guild’s website.

About the Axiom Business Book Awards: Since 2007, the Axiom Business Book Awards have honoured the best business titles in more than 25 categories, shining a light on books that provide actionable insights, strategic guidance, and innovative perspectives for professionals at all levels. This year’s winners were selected from over 600 books from 31 countries globally. Previous medalists include Nobel laureate Robert Shiller, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin, among many other influential business and thought leaders. For more information, visit the Axiom website.

About the High Plains International Book Awards: Established in 2007 by the Billings Public Library Board of Directors, the High Plains International Book Awards recognize regional authors and literary works that examine and reflect life on the High Plains, encompassing Montana, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. For more information, visit the awards website.

FORT McMURRAY, Alta., June 22, 2026 — The Many Names of Robert Cree has earned its fourth major literary award nomination in just months, a rare distinction that underscores the exceptional reach and impact of this powerful Indigenous memoir.

The book is now a Finalist in the Memoir/Creative Non-fiction category of the 2026 High Plains International Book Awards. The announcement was made yesterday by the awards organizers, following selection from a nomination pool of over 200 books from eight U.S. states and three Canadian provinces, including Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.

“I am deeply honoured to be recognized by the High Plains International Book Awards,” said Elder Cree, a member of Fort McMurray 468 First Nation on Treaty 8 territory. “The region from the Great Plains of the United States to the prairies of Canada is home to many Indigenous Peoples whose stories deserve to be heard. I hope my book contributes to that conversation.”

The fourth nomination marks a remarkable milestone for a single title. The Many Names of Robert Cree has already claimed two outright wins. Elder Cree was the first Indigenous author recognized in the Memoir-Biography category when the book received The Bronze Medal from the 2026 Axiom Business Book Awards.

In early June, the book received the 2026 Alberta Literary Award for best memoir, presented by the Writers’ Guild of Alberta. It was also a Finalist for the 2026 Award of Excellence from the Crime Writers of Canada for best non-fiction.

“Receiving this recognition is something I never imagined when I set out to tell my story,” said Elder Cree. “I’m grateful to every reader who supported my book. My hope has always been that it would help build bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples.”

The High Plains International Book Awards celebration will take place in Billings, Montana, on October 3, with author panels and a book sale at the Billings Public Library.

Published by Toronto’s ECW Press, The Many Names of Robert Cree is a first-person account of survival in a brutally racist residential school system designed to erase traditional Indigenous culture, language, and knowledge. It is also the story of an epic life of struggle and healing, as Cree takes the wisdom of his ancestors and a message of reconciliation to oil industry boardrooms.

Throughout, Cree’s leadership is rooted in his unshakable commitment to the sacred traditional teachings of his people. His beliefs give him the strength to focus on hope, dignity, and building a better future for his community. Now a respected Elder and spiritual leader, Cree champions forgiveness as a powerful force that can bring healing and transformation for all.

The book is available in bookstores and on all major platforms in print, eBook, and audiobook narrated by celebrated Indigenous actor Lorne Cardinal.

About the High Plains International Book Awards: Established in 2007 by the Billings Public Library Board of Directors, the High Plains International Book Awards recognize regional authors and literary works that examine and reflect life on the High Plains. The region encompasses Montana, North and South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan. The 2026 awards feature 13 categories. Each nominated book is evaluated by four community readers, and finalists are judged by a panel of published writers with connections to the High Plains region. For more information, visit the awards website.

About the Axiom Business Book Awards: Since 2007, the Axiom Business Book Awards have honoured the best business titles in more than 25 categories, shining a light on books that provide actionable insights, strategic guidance, and innovative perspectives for professionals at all levels. This year’s winners were selected from over 600 books from 31 countries globally. Previous medalists include Nobel laureate Robert Shiller, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin, and philanthropist and investor Ray Dalio, among many other influential business and thought leaders. For more information, visit the Axiom website.

About the Alberta Literary Awards: Created in 1982 by the Writers Guild of Alberta (WGA), the Alberta Literary Awards recognize outstanding writing by Alberta authors across multiple genres, including fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, drama, and children’s literature. These prestigious awards promote literary excellence and feature an independent jury process, culminating in an annual gala. For more information on the 2026 nominees, visit the Guild’s website.

FORT McMURRAY, Alta., June 8, 2026 — The Many Names of Robert Cree by Elder Robert Cree has won the 2026 Alberta Literary Award for Best Memoir, presented by the Writers’ Guild of Alberta.

The award was announced at the organization’s annual awards gala held this past weekend in Edmonton.

The win adds to recognition for the book. In March, it received a Bronze Medal from the American-based 2026 Axiom Business Book Awards in the Memoir-Biography category. The book was also a Finalist for the 2026 Award of Excellence from The Crime Writers of Canada (CWC) for best nonfiction.

“My hope has always been that sharing my journey would open hearts and minds to the importance of reconciliation and the wisdom of the ancestors,” said Elder Cree. “This recognition tells me that important message is reaching people.”

A member of Fort McMurray 468 First Nation, Elder Cree lives in his community on Treaty 8 territory in northeastern Alberta. The full title of the book is The Many Names of Robert Cree: How a First Nations Chief Brought Ancient Wisdom to Big Business and Prosperity to His People.

Published by ECW Press, The Many Names of Robert Cree is a first-person account of survival in a brutally racist residential school system designed to erase traditional Indigenous culture, language, and knowledge. It is also the story of an epic life of struggle and healing, as Cree takes the wisdom of his ancestors and a message of reconciliation to oil industry boardrooms.

Publishers Weekly describes the book as “an affecting, hard-won testament to the power of perseverance,” noting: “Cree’s optimism rings true (‘I want you to know… the joy of letting go of anger and bitterness’), even as his blunt account of state-sanctioned abuse haunts.”

“I want to thank the team at ECW Press,” said Elder Cree, who wrote the book with author Therese Greenwood. “From the beginning, they respected Indigenous protocols and supported my vision for telling this story in an authentic way.”

Throughout the book, Cree’s leadership is rooted in his unshakable commitment to the sacred traditional teachings of his people. His beliefs give him the strength to focus on hope, dignity, and building a better future for his community. Now a respected Elder and spiritual leader, Cree champions forgiveness as a powerful force that can bring healing and transformation for all.

Cree’s book is available in bookstores across Canada and on all major platforms in print, eBook, and audiobook narrated by celebrated Indigenous actor Lorne Cardinal.

About the Alberta Literary Awards: Created in 1982 by the Writers Guild of Alberta, the Alberta Literary Awards recognize outstanding writing by Alberta authors across multiple genres, including fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, drama, and children’s literature. These prestigious awards promote literary excellence and feature an independent jury process. For more information on the 2026 awards, please visit the Guild’s website.

About the Axiom Business Book Awards: Since 2007, the Axiom Business Book Awards have honored the best business titles in more than 25 categories, recognizing authors who inspire and inform individuals seeking to improve themselves and their professional ventures. This year’s winners were selected from over 600 books from 31 countries. Previous medalists include Nobel laureate Robert Shiller, former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin. For more information on the 2026 winners, please visit the Axiom website.

About ECW Press: ECW Press is an independent Canadian publisher based in Toronto, Ont., committed to publishing distinctive, high-quality books that challenge and inspire readers. Founded in 1974, ECW publishes a wide range of genres, including literary fiction, creative nonfiction, memoir, poetry, popular culture, and sport. For more information, visit the ECW website.