BC’s unique and fascinating history has been shaped by so many events and trailblazers. But how many of these figures do you know the names of, let alone know their story? Let us help you get familiar with a few of these remarkable people, both past and present, that have dramatically changed the trajectory of their communities and the country at large. From Christine Lowther’s time as a BC forest defender to Susan Blacklin’s personal account of her and her husband’s ongoing work to secure safe drinking water in Indigenous communities across Canada, these tales will inform you, inspire you, and open your eyes to the possibilities of change.
The Cariboo Trek of Calum McBay by Colin Campbell, with a historical note by Nicola Campbell (Orca Book Publishers)
Go back in time to the Gold Rush era in British Columbia’s Cariboo region in this historical fiction tale that takes young readers on a journey through violent ruffians and treacherous terrain along the Harrison-Lillooet Trail in 1862. Meet a 17-year-old Callum who leaves Scotland to join the gold rush in BC, hoping to save the family farm from foreclosure. He befriends a colourful cast of fellow prospectors and witnesses and the onslaught of outsiders that proves destructive to the First Nations communities and the natural environment.
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Blockade: Diaries of a Forest Defender by Christine Lowther (Caitlin Press)
Drawing from her daily journals recorded at the time, West Coast activist Christine Lowther recounts her blockade years of the early nineties, marked by old-growth occupations, lockdowns, and barricades on the frontlines of Vancouver Island’s ancient temperate rainforests, in this thrilling memoir on successful environmental activism.
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cop city swagger by Mercedes Eng (Talonbooks)
Mercedes Eng investigates whose safety really matters in Canada’s most expensive city in cop city swagger. In this assessment of Vancouver police’s acts of violence against marginalized communities, Eng juxtaposes the police’s and the city’s institutional rhetoric with its violent reality, presenting a panoramic media montage of structural harm and community care. Eng’s research culminates in a powerful call to action that demands attention.
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Flow: Women’s Counternarratives from Rivers, Rock, and Sky by Denisa Krásná and Alena Rainsberry (Rocky Mountain Press)
Flow explores diverse women’s narratives in adventure sports in this anthology that challenges stereotypes while promoting unity. It advocates for a transcultural feminism, one offering hope and empowerment to break barriers and live fully. Readers will fall deep into this unique collection highlighting the powerful women redefining what’s possible in outdoor sports like whitewater kayaking, climbing, mountaineering, and highlining.
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Water Confidential: Witnessing Justice Denied—The Fight for Safe Drinking Water in Indigenous and Rural Communities in Canada by Susan Blacklin (Caitlin Press)
In Water Confidential, Susan Blacklin (formerly Sue Peterson) revisits the groundbreaking work of her late ex-husband, Dr. Hans Peterson. In 1996, disillusioned with government-funded research in Saskatchewan, Peterson turned his focus to the urgent issue of water inequality in Yellow Quill First Nation. This propelled his research that helped develop a pioneering biological water treatment technology that remains in use today. In this passionate and timely memoir, Blacklin reflects on her role in the movement and the complex relationships between communities and governments to ensure access to safe drinking water for every First Nations community.
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Gaman – Perseverance by Art Miki (Talonbooks)
Winner of a 2025 Canada-Japan Literary Award, Gaman—Perseverance is a revealing memoir by the former president of the National Association of Japanese Canadians describing the long journey towards resolution for the historic injustice that deprived Japanese Canadians of their basic human rights during and after WWII.
The memoir also reflects on Miki’s personal journey from his youth in British Columbia to his career as an educator in Manitoba and his leadership within the Japanese Canadian community across Canada. It highlights his involvement with Indigenous communities and his role in the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, as well as his brief foray into politics and tenure as a Canadian citizenship judge.
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Pentecostal Preacher Woman: The Faith and Feminism of Bernice Gerard by Linda Ambrose (UBC Press)
Pentecostal Preacher Woman is the Canadian Historical Association’s Clio Award winner for BC History that follows Reverend Bernice Gerard, who was BC’s most prominent spiritual figure of the 20th century. Despite her work as an Evangelical pastor, Gerard, who was also a contradictory figure who remained firmly rooted in patriarchal religious institutions, led a multifaceted life that included speaking up for social justice causes. With this pick, you’ll be both challenged and curious about the complex evolution of a conservative woman and larger themes of faith and society.
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