Archibald Lampman Award: Difference between revisions

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The Scott Award, originally named the Archibald Lampman Award is an annual Canadian literary award, created by Blaine Marchand, and for the last few years presented by the literary magazine Arc, for the year's best work of poetry by a writer living in the National Capital Region.

History

The award is named in honour of Canadian poets Archibald Lampman (1861–1899) and Duncan Campbell Scott (1862–1947). "Their literary friendship helped foster Ottawa’s now thriving and diverse literary community," according to Arc magazine, which has called Lampman "Canada’s finest 19th century poet". Lampman convinced Scott to start writing poetry, and when Lampman died, after a wilderness trip taken with Scott, the latter became Lampman’s literary executor, and "his tireless labours in this role were instrumental in keeping his friend’s poetry alive", according to the award's official website. "The Lampman-Scott Poetry Award is a fitting tribute to the intertwined lives and accomplishments of these two makers of local, national, and international culture."^[1]

The inclusion of Scott's name in the award has been controversial because of Scott's actions as a Canadian government official supervising Indian affairs for many years. As head of Canada's Indian Affairs agency, Scott promoted the national government's residential school system as a way to assimilate aboriginal children into Canadian society, separating them from their parents and native culture.^[2]

The 2003 and 2008 winner of the award, Shane Rhodes, turned over half of the $1,500 prize money to the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health, a First Nations health centre, according to a 2008 report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. "Taking that money wouldn't have been right, with what I'm writing about," Rhodes said. The poet was researching First Nations history and found Scott's name repeatedly referenced. The CBC reported that Rhodes felt "Scott's legacy as a civil servant overshadows his work as a pioneer of Canadian poetry."^[2]

In response, Anita Lahey, editor of Arc Poetry Magazine, said she thought Scott's actions as head of Indian Affairs were important to remember, but did not eclipse his role in the history of Canadian literature. "I think it matters that we're aware of it and that we think about and talk about these things," she said. "I don't think controversial or questionable activities in the life of any artist or writer is something that should necessarily discount the literary legacy that they leave behind."^[2]

In 2007, the Archibald Lampman Award for Poetry merged with the Duncan Campbell Scott Foundation, creating the $1500 annual Lampman-Scott Award.^[3]

Winners