First Nation Communities READ 2026-2027 Shortlists Released
Children and Young Adult/Adult Shortlists Announced
The First Nation Communities READ program is pleased to announce the shortlists for the Children’s and Young Adult/Adult categories. Chosen by a jury of First Nation librarians from across Ontario, these titles represent the best of Indigenous literature from Canada today. The title selection announcement and award presentation for FNCR 2026-2027 will take place during First Nation Public Library Week (October 5-9, 2026).
Children’s Category Shortlist
They Come off the Ice by Andrea Andersen and illustrated by Coco Apunnguaq and Emma Pedersen. Published by Inhabit Media. 2025.
Let’s Go for a Walk on Mother Earth by Julianna Armstrong and Blair Beaucage and illustrated by Shelley Davis. Published by Medicine Wheel Publishing. 2025.
Remember Who You Are by Leona Prince and Gabrielle Prince and illustrated by Sara General. Published by Orca Book Publishers. 2025.
Rez Kid by Andrea Landry and illustrated by Isabella Fassler. Published by Kids Can Press. 2025.
Nutshimit Activity Book by Melissa Mollen Dupuis and illustrated by Elise Gravel. Published by Scholastic. 2025.
Young Adult/Adult Category Shortlist
7 Generations: A Plains Cree Saga (2nd Edition) by David Robertson and illustrated by Scott B. Henderson. Published by Portage and Main Press. 2025.
From the Rez to the Runway: Forging My Path in Fashion by Christian Allaire. Published by HarperCollins Canada. 2025.
All the Little Monsters: How I Learned to Live with Anxiety by David Robertson. Published by HarperCollins Canada. 2025.
Still Ruffling Feathers: Let Us Put Our Minds Together by Dr.Wanda Wuttunee. Published by University of Manitoba Press. 2025.
Soft as Bones by Chyana Marie Sage. Published by House of Anansi Press. 2025.
First Nation Communities READ was launched in 2003 by the First Nations Public Library Community in Ontario with support from the Ontario Library Service, it promotes a community-based approach to reading. FNCR celebrates and promotes the importance of Indigenous literature across Canada. The program encourages family literacy, intergenerational storytelling as well and intergenerational knowledge transmission. FNCR helps to increase awareness of the importance of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit writing, illustration, and publishing.
Ontario Library Service (OLS) is mandated to deliver programs and services on behalf of the Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Gaming:
- increasing cooperation and coordination among public library boards and other information providers to promote the provision of library service to the public;
- assisting Public Library boards and First Nation public libraries by providing them with services and programs that meet their needs, including consultation, training, and development services.
For more information about First Nation Communities READ and the Ontario Library Service, contact:
Nancy Cooper, First Nations Consultant | Ontario Library Service
Telephone 647-264-7342 | E-mail ncooper@olservice.ca