Métis Author Jessica Outram Wins Prestigious Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction

January 23, 2025

Métis citizen Jessica Outram was recently named the winner of the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People for her debut novel, Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold. The announcement was made at a 2024 awards event hosted by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre (CCBC) at the Toronto Reference Library.

Jessica, a writer, poet, playwright, and educator, drew inspiration for the novel from her family’s Métis roots in the Georgian Bay area. Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold, published by Second Story Press, tells the story of a young Indigenous girl seeking adventure in the early 1900s. The CCBC described the novel as “an immersive story that shares the language and culture of the Métis in Georgian Bay,” calling it “a shining treasure of a children’s novel.”

“This is a story inspired by my own family and my great-aunt Bernice,” said Jessica. “It was important to me that their way of life and traditions were shared with children. Being honoured with this award is incredibly meaningful—it acknowledges the stories of my ancestors and helps share them with a wider audience.”

Jessica, who now lives in Peterborough, has long celebrated the Métis culture through her work. Her mother’s family, the Lamondins, has verified Métis roots in the Georgian Bay Métis community through the Solomon and Berger/Beaudoin lines. Her father’s family, the Outrams, were settlers in Britt, Ontario.

The novel’s authenticity and heartfelt storytelling have captivated readers, offering a window into the Métis way of life during a time when many families were forced to hide their identities to protect their communities.

Jessica is no stranger to literary recognition. She is a past recipient of the Gordon Johnston Award for Artistic Excellence and an Ontario Arts Council Recommender Grant. In addition to her writing, Jessica is an accomplished educator with a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Community Development from the University of Toronto. She has served as a superintendent of education, as well as an instructor in Indigenous education at Trent University.

Bernice and the Georgian Bay Gold marks the beginning of Jessica’s journey into historical fiction for young readers, and she is already at work on a sequel that follows Bernice’s adventures down the Magnetawan River.

“Stories like these remind us of our shared humanity,” said CCBC Executive Director Stephanie Wells during the event. “Jessica Outram’s work beautifully captures the courage, resilience, and love found in families and communities, offering young readers hope and connection.”

The Geoffrey Bilson Award, which includes a $5,000 prize, recognizes outstanding historical fiction for young people. With this win, Jessica joins a celebrated group of Canadian authors who have enriched children’s literature with meaningful and inspiring stories.

Learn more about Jessica and her literary accomplishments at https://www.jessicaoutram.com/more-about-me

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