The University of Saskatchewan presents unique centennial gift to Queen
Posted May 19, 2005
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 19th, 2005 2005-05-19-OTHER
The University of Saskatchewan presents unique centennial gift to Queen
A special advance copy of Saskatchewan: A New History, by University of
Saskatchewan History professor, Distinguished Researcher and Award-winning
author, Bill Waiser, will be presented to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The presentation will take place at a special private ceremony today, May
19th, on her visit to Saskatoon in commemoration of the province's
centennial.
"This book is the University's gift to the Province in this centennial year.
I am honoured that we can now also call it our gift to the House of
Windsor," says University of Saskatchewan President Peter MacKinnon.
In addition to the Queen and His Royal Highness Prince Phillip, the ceremony
will be attended by distinguished guests including: Lieutenant Governor
Lynda Haverstock; President MacKinnon, and former provincial finance
minister and Professor Janice MacKinnon; University Chancellor Tom Molloy
and Alison Molloy; University Secretary Gordon Barnhart and Naomi Barnhart;
and the author Bill Waiser and Marley Waiser.
Saskatchewan: A New History is a people's history and has already received
high praise from its advance reviewers. Respected journalist and Canada's
Consul General to New York City, Pamela Wallin, says "Bill Waiser's book
captures the heart and the fearlessness of the people and the place I'm
proud to call home."
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For more information contact:
Regarding the Queen's visit:
Rob Norris
Coordinator, Global Relations
Office of the University Secretary
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 612-2428
Rob.Norris@usask.ca
Regarding Saskatchewan: A New History
Simone Lee
Fifth House Publishers Ltd.
(403) 571-5233
simone@hillsboro.ca
Professor Bill Waiser
Department of History
College of Arts and Science
University of Saskatchewan
Office: (306) 966-5801 Home: (306) 374-4509
bill.waiser@usask.ca
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Backgrounder
Saskatchewan: A New History, Bill Waiser's ninth book, has had a multi-year
genesis. The book project received funding from the Government of
Saskatchewan, the Celebrate Canada Committee for Saskatchewan, and
significant University support, including Waiser's secondment for research
and writing. Fifth House, a Western-based press, was chosen as the publisher
in 2003.
While thoroughly researched and including the most up-to-date data about the
history of the province, Saskatchewan a New History is a people's history,
not an academic tome. It has already received high praise from its advance
reviews. The respected broadcaster and journalist, and now Canada's Consul
General to New York City, Pamela Wallin, says:
"Saskatchewan's people have a strength of character that has been forged by
the demands of hard work, the often inhospitable climate, and the intensity
of political debate. Bill Waiser's Saskatchewan: A New History captures the
heart and the fearlessness of the people and the place I'm proud to call
home."
Waiser is hoping for more praise: "Of course, I recount in my book how
royalty has always marked very special events in Saskatchewan's history. The
province of Saskatchewan received royal assent on July 20, 1905. On October
12, 1912, Prince Arthur, the third and favourite son of Queen Victoria,
opened the Regina Legislature. And I hope Her Highness has an opportunity to
read about how her mother and father were stunned by the size of the crowd
that gathered to greet them in Melville on June 3, 1939. It was one of the
last opportunities for people to see the visiting couple on that pre-war
tour, and there were an estimated sixty thousand people on hand. In one day,
Melville, with a usual population of four thousand, had become
Saskatchewan's largest city.
Saskatchewan: A New History will be in bookstores across the province in
early June 2005. The $49.95 608 page hardcover book features over 200 black
and white photographs throughout, and two 16-page colour photographic
inserts of specially commission photographs by Saskatchewan artist, John
Perret. A special slip-cased edition will also be available for $100.
Jacket and interior photographs and excerpts of Saskatchewan: A New History
are available now
Official photographs of the presentation ceremony will be available on May
20, 2005
