Toronto, October 1, 2024 – 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 2024-2025 will take place during First Nation Public Library Week (October 1-4, 2024).
The two selected title authors will be the recipients of the Indigenous Literature Award generously sponsored by our partners the Periodical Marketers of Canada. The selected authors will each receive a $5000 cash prize. More information can be found on the FNCR website at www.fncr.ca.
Children’s Shortlist
- Heart Berry Bling by Jenny Kay Dupuis. Published by Highwater Press.
- Freddie the Flyer by Fred Carmichael and Daniel Metcalfe-Chenail. Published by Tundra Books.
- The Secret Pocket by Peggy Janicki. Published by Orca.
- Minnow: The Girl Who Became Part Fish by Willie Poll. Published by Medicine Wheel Publishing.
- Smudging and the Four Sacred Medicines by Sandra Samatte and Wahwahbiginojii Dr. David Anderson. Published by Indigenous Education Press.
Young Adult/Adult Shortlist
- Once the Smudge is Lit by Kelsey Bogford and Cole Forrest. Published by Kegedonce Press.
- And Then She Fell by Alicia Ellott. Published by Doubleday Canada.
- acâhkos nikamowini-pîkiskwêwina—The Star Poems: nêhiyawi-kîsik âcimowin—A Cree Sky Narrative by Jesse Rae Archibald-Barber. Published by Your Nickel’s Worth Publishing.
- Early Days: Indigenous Art from the McMichael edited by Bonnie Devine, John Geoghegan and Sarah Milloy. Published by Figure1 Publishing and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.
- The Spirit of Denedeh: As I Enfold You in Petals by Richard Van Camp. Published by Portage and Main Press.
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.
For more information about First Nation Communities READ and the Ontario Library Service, contact:
Nancy Cooper | First Nations Consultant | Ontario Library Service | ncooper@olservice.ca | 647-264-7342
Periodical Marketers of Canada is the national association of magazine and book wholesalers serving thousands of retail newsstands across Canada. Periodical Marketers of Canada was established under federal charter in 1942 for the purpose of furthering the wholesale periodical distribution industry and contributing to the encouragement of reading in Canada.
PMC’s ongoing activities have included funding of a non-profit charitable foundation, the Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Letters, which has contributed to individuals and agencies engaged in the encouragement of literacy and reading in Canada.
For more information about Periodical Marketers of Canada, contact:
Barry Francis | Periodical Marketers of Canada | barryfrancis@sympatico.ca | 416-447-7908 | Cell: 416-876-3204
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund for this project.
The Support of the Government of Ontario through the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming is gratefully acknowledged.