2009 Jury Member Profiles

Barbara Lewis, Library Coordinator, Chippewas of Rama Public Library

Barbara Lewis describes her time spent as a jury member for the First Nation Communities Read program as one of the most satisfying and rewarding committee experiences of her library career. She always finds it interesting to hear how other jurors feel about the same books she has read!

Having served as a juror for four years, she has witnessed a dramatic increase in the number of aboriginal authors, illustrators, and stories being nominated for this honour. Barbara believes that the First Nation Communities Read program is vital in bringing these titles and their creators to the notice of readers in both native and non-native communities.

Barbara’s library serves not only the Chippewas of Rama community and its First Nation school but also much of the surrounding area, thanks, in part, to partnerships with the Ramara Township Public Library and Georgian College Library.

Debra Cada, Librarian, Sheshegwaning First Nation Public Library

Debra Cada feels the most rewarding aspects of serving as a First Nation Communities Read juror are the opportunities to read and enjoy an abundance of books, and inform and encourage other potential readers.

Debra describes herself as “lucky” to have been able to serve as a First Nation Communities Read juror three times in the past five years. She describes Which Way Should I Go?, the 2009 selected title, as a “beautiful” story. Other titles she rated highly are Dog Tracks by Ruby Slipperjack, Niwechihaw—I Help by author-illustrator Caitlin Dale Nicholson with Cree translation by Leona Morin-Neilson, and Shin-chi’s Canoe, by Nicola I. Campbell with illustrations by Kim LaFave.

Debra’s school-housed public library serves the Sheshegwaning First Nation community located on the western shore of Manitoulin Island.

Karen Foster, Librarian, Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation Public Library

Karen Foster reports that the experience of serving as a First Nation Communities Read jury member is “”both rewarding and pleasant.” She particularly loves to read the “beautiful and wonderful” books presented to her through the First Nation Communities Read program.

This was Karen’s second time serving as a jury member. She recommends the experience to anyone who loves to read. In addition to Which Way Should I Go?, Karen enjoyed Dog Tracks by Ruby Slipperjack and The Night Wanderer by Drew Hayden Taylor.

Karen’s public library serves the Chippewas of Georgina Island community located in Lake Simcoe.

Sandra Cada, Librarian, M’Chicheeng First Nation Public Library

Sandra Cada is pleased to have been able to serve on the 2009 First Nation Communities Read jury and thankful for the opportunity to be part of this “great” program.

As a first time juror, Sandra describes the nominated titles as “absolutely astounding, wonderful, and beautiful.” In addition to Which Way Should I Go? which she found “marvelous” and “insightful,”, Sandra also gives a special mention to Niwechihaw—I Help and the Night Wanderer. Sandra works at the M'Chigeeng Public/Lakeview School library that serves the M'Chigeeng First Nation on Manitoulin Island.

Wanda Noganosh, Librarian, Magnetawan First Nation Public Library

Wanda Noganosh reports that the most enjoyable part of serving on the 2009 First Nation Community Reads program was the time she spent reading books from across Canada.

Prior to becoming a jury member for the First Nations Communities Read Program, Wanda was a jury member for the Northern “Lit” Award which recognizes Northern Ontario authors. She describes the titles nominated for the 2009 First Nation Communities Read program as “easy to read” with “something for everyone.”

Wanda’s public library serves the Magnetwan First Nation located north of Parry Sound.

Kathleen Peters, Librarian, Beausoleil First Nation Public Library

Kathleen Peters admits to being surprised at the work entailed in serving on the First Nation Communities Read jury. “When we were told there would be many books to read, I thought, ‘Well, I love to read, How hard can it be? Well, it is a really big task.’”

As a first-time jury member, Kathleen found it difficult to decide which book should be the 2009 selection, but enjoyed the process of working together with other jurors and making a decision as a group. In addition to Which Way Should I Go?, Kathleen also enjoyed Shin-Chi’s Canoe, The Adventures of Rabbit and Bear Paws: The Voyageurs by Chad Solomon and Christopher Meyer, Little Hunger by Philip Kevin Hall, The Littlest Sled Dog by Michael Kusugak with illustrations by Vladyana Krykorka, Good Bye, Buffalo Bay by Larry Loyie with Constance Brissenden, Joseph Brant and His World by James Paxton, and A Native American Thought of It by Rocky Landon and David MacDonald.

Kathleen’s public library serves the Beausoleil First Nation community located on Christian Island in the southern tip of Georgian Bay.