The two selected title authors are the recipients of the PMC Indigenous Literature Award generously sponsored by our partners of 12 years, the Periodical Marketers of Canada. Each of the selected authors will receive a $5000 cash prize. More information can be found on the FNCR website at www.fncr.ca
Selected Title in the Children’s Category
Boozhoo! / Hello!
by Mangeshig Pawis Steckley
Published by Groundwood Books
Mangeshig is from Barrie, Ontario and a member of the Wasauksing First Nation. He currently lives in British Columbia with his wife and daughter. A prolific illustrator, Mangeshig has been involved with the development of ten books, some of whom have been award winning works. He has received the Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children’s Book Award, and Indigenous Voices Award, a Blue Spruce Award, and has been shortlisted for a Governor General’s Literary Award. His illustrations will be showcased in the 2025 Society of Illustrator’s Original Artshow.
Boozhoo! / Hello!
Hello! Who do you see and hear in the woods today? Meet a variety of woodland and water animals in this story written in Anishinaabemowin and English. Can you see a fox digging, spot two minnows dancing or hear a swarm of bees buzzing? Boozhoo! / Hello! introduces children to familiar animals as they go about their daily activities: walking, running, swimming, climbing and finally — when the day is done — sleeping! Illustrated in a vibrant and colorful Woodland style that will appeal to readers young and old alike.
Selected Title in the Young Adult/Adult Category
The Baby Train
by Stella Shepard
Published by Acorn Press
Stella Shepard of Prince Edward Island developed a passion for reading and writing in childhood that has followed her throughout her life. Her other publications include Ashes of my Dreams (Acorn Press, 2016) as well as essays in books, Atlantic newspapers, and magazines. She proudly connects to her Indigenous and African roots and is committed to telling stories that have otherwise gone untold.
The Baby Train
The Baby Train shares the shameful history of forced and coerced adoptions in eastern Canada. Thrust into the foster system at an early age, Apple moves from house to house without finding a home until she is a teenager. But her dream to have a family is torn apart by church and government officials who take her baby from her and given to a wealthy family in the United States who have donated a large amount of money to the Catholic church. The book traces her life in the aftermath of this violence.
Periodical Marketers of Canada
The Periodical Marketers of Canada PMC Indigenous Literature Award is inspired by the goals of the First Nation Communities READ program. It will provide each of the authors of the First Nation Communities READ 2025-2026 title selections with a cash prize. This is the 12th year the Periodical Marketers of Canada has presented The PMC Indigenous Literature Award.
First Nation Communities READ was launched in 2003 by the First Nations Public Library Community in Ontario with support from the Ontario Library Service. FNCR celebrates and promotes the importance of Indigenous literature across Canada. The program encourages family literacy, intergenerational storytelling as well and intergenerational knowledge transmission.
Ontario Library Service (OLS) is mandated to deliver programs and services on behalf of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Gaming by:
- 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 Nation Consultant, Ontario Library Service | Telephone: 647-264-7342 | E-mail: ncooper@olservice.ca
Periodical Marketers of Canada is the national association of magazine and book wholesalers serving thousands of retail newsstands across Canada. Its activities have included funding of the non-profit charitable Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Letters which has contributed to individuals and agencies engaged in the encouragement of literacy and reading in Canada.
Barry Francis, Periodical Marketers of Canada| Telephone: 416-876-3204 | E-mail: barryfrancis@sympatico.ca
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.