The First Nation Communities READ (FNCR) program has announces the shortlists—selected from a longlist of titles announced in July—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 2025-2026 will take place during First Nation Public Library Week (October 6-10, 2025). The two selected title authors will be the recipients of the Indigenous Literature Award generously sponsored by the Periodical Marketers of Canada. The selected authors will each receive a $5,000 cash prize.
Children’s
The Animal People Choose a Leader, written by Richard Wagamese, illustrated by Bridget George (Douglas & McIntyre)
Bannock in a Hammock, written by Masiana Kelly, illustrated by Amiel Sandland (Inhabit Media)
Boozhoo! / Hello!, written and illustrated by Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley, translated by Mary Ann Corbiere (Groundwood Books)
Dad, I Miss You, written Nadia Sammurtok, illustrated by Simji Park (Inhabit Media)
Hummingbird / Aamo-binashee, written and illustrated by Jennifer Leason, translated by Norman Chartrand and Jennifer Leason (Orca Book Publishers)
Young Adult/Adult
The Baby Train, written by Stella Shepard (Acorn Press)
Little Moons, written by Jen Storm, illustrated by Ryan Howe, coloured by Alice RL (HighWater Press)
Lost at Windy River: A True Story of Survival, written by Trina Rathgeber, illustrated by Alina Pete, coloured by Jillian Dolan (Orca Book Publishers)
Medicine Wheel for the Planet: A Journey toward Personal and Ecological Healing, written by Dr. Jennifer Grenz (Knopf Canada)
Who We Are: Four Questions for a Life and Nation, written by the Honourable Murray Sinclair (McClelland & Stewart)
First Nation Communities READ was launched in 2003 by the First Nations Public Library Community in Ontario, with support from the Ontario Library Service, to promote 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.
For more information about, please contact:
Nancy Cooper, First Nation Consultant
Ontario Library Service
647-264-7342 | ncooper@olservice.ca