Upcoming Author Events

Basil Stuart Stubbs Prize Reception
Thursday May 2, 2024 4:00 - 6:00pm
Cecil Green Park House | 6251 Cecil Green Park Rd
The annual prize recognizes an outstanding scholarly book published on a British Columbian subject by a Canadian Author

Book cover image for "Wild Horses Of The Chilcotin: Their History and Future" by Wayne McCrory

2024 Winner:
Wayne McCrory,The Wild Horses of the Chilcotin

The Chilcotin’s wild horses are romantic and beautiful, but they are also controversial: they are seen by government policy as intruders competing for range land with native species and domestic cattle and, as a result, they have been subject to culls and are not officially protected.

In this compelling book, wildlife biologist Wayne McCrory draws upon two decades of research to make a case for considering these wonderful creatures, called qiyus in traditional T?ilhqot’in culture, a resilient part of the area’s balanced prey-predator ecosystem. McCrory also chronicles the Chilcotin wild horses’ genetic history and significance to the T?ilhqot’in, juxtaposing their efforts to protect qiyus against movements to cull them.

McCrory is a registered professional biologist specializing in the study of wild horses, bears, and western toads. He has published more than ninety scientific reports on wildlife and conservation, including two technical reports on wild horses in BC and Alberta and, with horse genetics expert Dr. Gus Cothran, two reports on the genetics of wild horses in the Chilcotin. McCrory lives on a small farm in Hills, BC, with his wife, conservationist and journalist Lorna Visser.

If you wish to honour Basil’s memory and support the award, please click here for more information.