First time author tells important story in award-winning book

New author Victor Lethbridge never intended to win an award for his first publication.

“I was truly amazed when my name was read at the award ceremony,” said Lethbridge, a member of the Wood Mountain Lakota First Nation.

Little Chief and Mighty Gopher: The Pemmican Frenzy won the Children’s and Young Adult Book of the Year at the 2011 Alberta Book Awards.

“Once I started writing the book, it took on a life of its own,” said Lethbridge, who was happy about being named as one of four finalists with 164 submissions received in the category.

Lethbridge got the idea to write Little Chief and Mighty Gopher because of workshops he and wife Dorothy have been delivering to the youth in First Nations communities throughout Canada over the past eight years. The workshops, which he keeps interactive with  storytelling, music, drama and other hands-on methods that allow for the building of relationships in a short period of time, focus on high-risk behaviours, such as bullying, suicide, depression, and smoking reduction.

“There was a real lack of Aboriginal resources that appealed to youth about high-risk behaviours, so it was important to develop a resource that could assist the workshops, schools and communities,” said Lethbridge.
Although Lethbridge had limited writing experience – his first love is music – he was determined to tell a story that had key messages occurring throughout the interactions with his characters. Aiding in bringing his characters to life was the work of nationally recognized illustrator Ben Crane.

During the writing process, Lethbridge never imagined his book would win an award. But having that distinction will give Little Chief and Mighty Gopher more life.

“I’m ecstatic that this book could contribute to society and act as a way to introduce Aboriginal culture to communities,” said Lethbridge.

The book is also accompanied by music, so it has become a resource that can be used in many schools to educate about issues such as bullying and harassment.
Lethbridge wants to send the message to youth that “you are worth it, you are special and you can succeed.”

He plans on writing four more books, with the next one coming out in six to nine months time.