Ajubilant Joseph Boyden nabbed the $50,000 Scotiabank Giller Prize on Tuesday night for his second novel Through Black Spruce, saying he wants his win to inspire native youngsters to pursue their artistic dreams.

"I hope that it gives any aboriginal kid the idea that if he wants to write, or she wants to act or he wants to sing, or she wants to rap, you've got to do it," said the Toronto-raised Boyden, who makes his home in New Orleans.

"It's time to express yourself."

Through Black Spruce is a portrait of contemporary aboriginal life and family struggles that ensue after a beautiful young woman goes missing.

Boyden, who has Irish, Scottish and Metis roots, burst onto the literary scene in 2005 with his debut novel, Three Day Road, which told the story of Cree snipers who fought in the First World War.

The author -who teaches at the University of Louisiana -was emotional as he accepted the lucrative award, which he said would allow him to continue to push his literary goals.

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By ANDREA BAILLIE
THE CANADIAN PRESS