First Nation Communities Read is an Ontario-based
reading campaign that celebrates literature written and/or
illustrated by, or dealing with Aboriginal cultures and peoples and
encourages Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities alike to share
the story. The program was first launched in 2003 and past winning
titles include:
- Tomson Highway and Brian Deines’s Dragonfly Kites
(HarperCollins Canada) in 2003;
- Andrea Spalding and Janet Wilson’s Solomon’s Tree
(Orca Book Publishers) in 2004;
- Jan Bourdeau Waboose and Brian Deines’s Sky Sisters
(Kids Can Press) in 2005;
- Larry Loyie with Constance Brissenden and Heather Holmlund’s
As Long as the River Flows (Groundwood Books) in 2006;
- Leo Yerxa's Ancient Thunder (Groundwood Books) in
2008.
Through its featured titles, the program:
- encourages family literacy and intergenerational storytelling;
- promotes the publication, sharing and understanding of aboriginal
voices and experiences.
The program involves an annual call to publishers for
nominations. A jury, composed of representatives from Ontario’s
First Nations public library community, reads, assesses and
discusses the nominations before selecting one book. The honoured
book is announced in the lead up to First Nations Public Library
Week and is the focus of much of the Week’s celebrations. There is
also encouragement to continue readings and programming throughout
the year.
- Ontario celebrates First Nations Public Library Week in February
each year. It next takes place in February 2008 (dates to be
announced).
- The First Nation Communities Read program increases awareness and
sales of the titles it honours.
Subject to the annual receipt of funding support, the program
provides for:
- Purchase and distribution of copies of the selected title;
- A poster to promote the selected title and other worthy
nominations;
- First Nation Communities Read book stickers;
- Readings and signings at the annual Ontario Library Association
Super Conference and First Nation Public Library Week launch.
All libraries and communities across Canada are welcome and
encouraged to participate in the First Nation Communities Read
program.
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