Keith Helmuth ‘honoured’ to be recognized for Tappan Adney book
Woodstock’s Keith Helmuth was all smiles as he accepted the Writers’ Federation of New Brunswick Award for Nonfiction for “Tappan Adney: From Birchbark Canoes to Indigenous Rights.”
The book, published by Goose Lane Editions and Chapel Street Editions in October 2024, details the life and legacy of Tappan Adney, who is credited with saving the art of birchbark canoe construction through his writing and building miniature replicas.
“I felt the Tappan Adney biography had a good chance of winning, but when I heard my name called out, I had a deep sense of satisfaction that all the years of work that had gone into making this an important and well-written book by a number of people was being fully recognized,” said Helmuth, in an email to the River Valley Sun.
He wrote the book with Ted Behne, James Wheaton, Daryl Hunter, and Nicholas Smith.
The book accounts for Tappan Adney’s multifaceted impact on history and culture. Adney is an artist, writer, and advocate for Indigenous culture, with a fascination with birchbark canoes, which started after meeting Peter Jo, a Wəlastəkwi Elder-craftsman, in 1887.
That meeting sparked a lifelong dedication to documenting Indigenous canoe designs and preserving the Wəlastəkwey language and traditions. His contributions extended beyond canoe craftsmanship; he was also a journalist, illustrator, and defender of Indigenous rights, introducing the 1725 Peace and Friendship Treaty into Canadian legal discussions.
By winning the award, Helmuth hopes the book will become better known nationally and even internationally, expecting more people to appreciate Adney’s vital role in preserving cultural heritage and defending Indigenous rights.
“It was the goal of everyone who worked on this book to make Adney and his achievements more well-known and appreciated,” said Helmuth
The Carleton County Historical Society has a room dedicated to Adney in the Connell House Museum.
