[1] He is most noted for his 1954 novel Mist on the River, which has been described as the first Canadian novel ever to present a realistic portrait of First Nations people as its central characters.
[4] Throughout his career, he also published poetry, short stories, theatrical and radio plays, juvenile and young adult literature, and non-fiction writing on First Nations culture and nature and conservation topics.
[5] He is best known for his novel, Mist on the River (1954) which was based on his experience with the Gitxsan people of the Skeena valley.
The book interweaves the stories of six members of the same family including the central character who will eventually become chief.
[3] The book was reissued as part of the New Canadian Library series in 1973, with a foreword by W. H.