About FNCR

First Nation Communities READ (FNCR) is the Ontario First Nation Public Library Community’s contribution to the reading movement. 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 the very best of Indigenous literature across Turtle Island. The program encourages family literacy, intergenerational storytelling as well as intergenerational knowledge transmission. FNCR also helps to increase awareness of the importance of First Nation, Metis and Inuit writing, illustration and publishing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Through title selections, other recommendations, and creators’ tours, in First Nation communities and beyond, First Nation Communities READ:

  • encourages family literacy, intergenerational storytelling, and intergenerational information sharing;
  • increases awareness of the relevance and importance of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit writing, illustration, and publishing;
  • promotes the publication, sharing, and understanding of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit voices and experiences;
  • increases awareness and sales of the titles it honours.

First Nation Communities READ relies on:

  • annual funding from the Government of Canada;
  • coordination support from Ontario Library Service;
  • responsiveness of publishers to the annual call for title nominations;
  • a volunteer jury of First Nation librarians;
  • in-kind support from organizations, including Goodminds.com,
  • the participation of public libraries and broader public.

The First Nation Communities READ jury:

  • reads, assesses, and discusses the nominations;
  • selects the annual First Nation Communities READ title;
  • chooses other titles from among those nominated to also feature on the annual First Nation Communities READ poster;
  • participates in the development of First Nation Communities READ program resources;
  • promotes First Nation Communities READ program participation through communications to the Ontario public library community and conference programming;
  • evaluates the program on an annual basis and make recommendations for ongoing program development.

Here is the approximate timeline for the First Nation Communities READ program:

  • February: call for nominations is released
  • End of March: call for nominations closes
  • April: Ontario Library Service First Nations consultants review submissions and and determine the shortlists for each category
  • May to August: jury members read the shortlisted titles
  • September: juries meet to decide upon selected titles
  • October: First Nation Communities READ award presentation during First Nation Public Library Week
  • November to December:  selected title authors attend virtual and/or live readings.