A group of area residents gathered at the Barriere Library last week to meet author Bruce Fraser, who talked about his published work called a Chilcotin Trilogy.
Fraser’s work is a series of mysteries which he says illustrate the impressive Chilcotin to readers, as well as giving insight into the culture of First Nations residents in the area.
The first book in the trilogy, ‘On Potato Mountain’, was published in 2010, followed by ‘The Jade Frog’ in 2014. Fraser says the third installment in the series is still a work in progress but will come out in 2016.
Bruce Fraser has been a courtroom lawyer for many years, he has been involved in public projects and was awarded the Harry Rankin QC Pro Bono Award. Fraser also won awards for short stories published in the lawyer’s magazine called ‘The Advocate.
The author told his audience about the Chilcotin history that he has studied and noted he is fascinated by the culture of the native people and their history. Fraser commented, “I knew I wanted to write a book one day, but was always to busy making a living; then when I retired the second time I wrote the book and it became a trilogy.”
Fraser says he is deeply connected to the Chilcotin. “I have a deep feeling for the country and its people, the mountains and its people. They inspired me to write.”
His books are mystery novels but they are based on real life.
Fraser says he wrote about what took place in the 1950s during the time when the building of the Homathko River Dam was planned. It was to provide power to Vancouver Island, but also would deeply affect the native people in the area, and this is what inspired Fraser to write their story.
At the end of the presentation there was an opportunity for the attendees to ask questions. Several participants shared their own connection to the Chilcotin, with some commenting they had already read Fraser’s ‘On Potato Mountain’.
In closing, Fraser thanked his audience for welcoming him to Barriere, and for the interest they had shown in his books. The author said he hoped everyone would enjoy reading his books if they have not already done so.
