First Nation Communities READ 2022-2023 announces the selected titles in the Children's Category. Chosen by a jury of Indigenous librarians from across Ontario, the FNCR titles represent the very best of Indigenous literature. The selected titles were recognized on-line during First Nation Public Library Week.
Sponsored by Periodical Marketers of Canada, The PMC Indigenous Literature Award comes with a cash prize for each author.
Selected Titles in the Children's Category
We Dream Medicine Dreams by Lisa Boivin
Published by Highwater Press
and
Little Bear in Foster Care by S.P. Joseph Lyons
Published by Indigenous Education Press
This year, for the first time, the jury has selected two titles for the First Nation Communities READ program. The jury felt that each of the books was an excellent example of the goals and vision that drive the FNCR program.
Lisa Boivin is a member of the Deninu Kue First Nation and the author/artist of two books, We Dream Medicine Dreams and I Will See You Again. She is an interdisciplinary artist and a PhD candidate at the Rehabilitation Sciences Institute at the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine.
When a little girl dreams about a bear, her grandfather explains how we connect with the knowledge of our ancestors through dreams. Bear, Hawk, Caribou, and Wolf all have teachings to share to help us live a good life. But when Grampa gets sick and falls into a coma, the little girl must lean on his teachings as she learns to say goodbye.
S.P. Joseph Lyons is an Anishinaabe Algonquin children's author. He writes fantasy, Sci-Fi, and romance. He is a public speaker and an Indigenous education advocate.
In Little Bear in Foster Care, S.P. Joseph Lyons helps young children process their feelings and experiences. The richness of Indigenous cultures and emotions come alive in this story of healing and resilience.The book connects children to a range of emotions, encourages them to find their voice, and lets them know they are not alone or to blame. (The title is also available in Anishinaabemowin/English.)