What Is 1968 Governor General's Awards

Overview

The 1968 Governor General's Awards celebrated Canadian literary and artistic excellence for works published during 1967. These awards, administered by the Canada Council for the Arts, are among Canada's oldest and most prestigious honors in literature and the arts.

The ceremony recognized achievements across multiple genres and languages, including English and French categories. The 1968 edition marked a significant year in Canadian cultural history, highlighting emerging voices and established authors alike.

• Fourteen categories were awarded in 1968, covering Fiction, Poetry, Non-Fiction, Drama, and Translation in both English and French.
• Margaret Atwood won the award for Poetry in English for her collection The Animals in That Country, a pivotal moment in her early career.
• Winner prizes included a $1,000 cash award and a specially designed medal, symbolizing national recognition.
• French-language categories were judged separately, emphasizing Canada's bilingual literary tradition and cultural duality.
• The Canada Council has administered the awards since 1959, ensuring a rigorous peer-assessment process involving expert juries.

How It Works

The Governor General's Awards follow a structured nomination and jury evaluation process to ensure fairness and national representation. Authors, publishers, and translators submit eligible works published within the designated year for consideration.

• Eligibility: Works must have been first published in Canada between January 1 and December 31 of the previous year, such as 1967 for the 1968 awards.
• Jury Selection: Independent panels of three experts in each category are appointed by the Canada Council to evaluate submissions anonymously.
• Submission Process: Publishers or authors submit up to three copies of a book, along with an entry form, by the annual deadline, typically in spring.
• Language Categories: English and French works are judged separately, with distinct awards for Translation between the two languages.
• Final Decision: Juries deliberate independently and submit recommendations; winners are announced in the fall, usually October or November.
• Award Ceremony: Winners receive their medals from the Governor General of Canada in a formal ceremony, often held in Ottawa.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1968 Governor General's Awards compare across key categories:

The 1968 awards reflected a growing confidence in Canadian literature, with authors like Margaret Atwood and Pierre Berton gaining national prominence. The bilingual structure underscored Canada’s commitment to linguistic equity in the arts, while posthumous recognition, such as for Malcolm Lowry, highlighted the enduring impact of literary works beyond the author’s lifetime.

Why It Matters

The 1968 Governor General's Awards played a crucial role in shaping Canada's national literary identity during a transformative decade. Recognition from these awards often boosted book sales, critical attention, and long-term author reputations.

• Cultural Recognition: Winning elevated authors like Atwood to national prominence, helping define modern Canadian literature.
• Financial Support: The $1,000 prize, substantial in 1968, provided vital encouragement for emerging writers.
• Bilingual Representation: Separate English and French categories reinforced Canada’s official bilingualism in cultural policy.
• Historical Record: The awards serve as a curated timeline of Canada’s literary evolution since 1937.
• International Attention: Success in these awards often led to international publishing opportunities and translations.
• Legacy Building: Works like Berton’s The National Dream became canonical in Canadian historical writing.

Today, the Governor General's Awards remain a benchmark of excellence, continuing to influence literary trends and public reading habits across Canada.