Dan Dowhal

Winner of the Borealis Prize: Commissioner of Yukon Award for Literary Excellence

Dan Dowhal is the author of four novels, Skyfisher, Flam Grub, Bury Your Horses, and Sled Doug published by Parka Press. Born and raised in Toronto’s Queen West district, Dan holds a Journalism degree from now-called Toronto Metropolitan University. Dan currently lives in Dawson City, Yukon, where he also works as a newspaper editor and librarian. He first came to the Klondike as Writer-in-Residence at Berton House in 2011. Away from the keyboard, he is the alpha male of a pack of sled dogs.

Jurors: Jaime Mellott, Kathy Munro, and Nick Pullen

Statement from the jury:
“Dan Dowhal first came to the Yukon as the Writer-In-Residence at Berton House, and stayed to make Dawson City his home.

Fifteen years later, his impact on Dawson City’s literary culture is profound. Beyond his own four novels, as editor of the Klondike Sun, publisher of Parka Press, and perennial contributor of editorials, features, essays, and stories to Dawson’s papers and magazines, Dan’s involvement in the organization and presentation of literary events, his record of supporting and empowering other writers, and deep involvement in the community have made him essential to Dawson’s writers, and to the arts scene of the Yukon as a whole.

While the jurors have no doubt that every one of this year’s nominees are deserving of the prize, we are delighted to unanimously select Dan Dowhal as the Borealis prize winner for 2026.”