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First Nations Communities Read 2023

First Nations Communities Read (FNCR) is an annual reading program launched in 2003 by the First Nations public library community in Ontario. The program is designed to encourage family literacy, and promote the voices of indigenous authors, illustrators, and publishers. Learn more from the FNCR website.

  • Author:
    Fontaine, Theodore
    Summary:

    Theodore (Ted) Fontaine lost his family and freedom just after his seventh birthday, when his parents were forced to leave him at an Indian residential school by order of the Roman Catholic Church and the Government of Canada. Twelve...

  • Author:
    Van Camp, Richard
    Summary:

    A Blanket of Butterflies explores the journey of Shinobu, a mysterious stranger who visits Fort Smith, NWT, to retrieve his family's samurai suit of armor and sword from the local museum. When he discovers that his grandfather's sword...

  • Author:
    Belcourt, Billy-Ray
    Summary:

    An urgent first novel about breaching the prisons we live inside from one of Canada's most daring literary talents. An unnamed narrator abandons his unfinished thesis and returns to northern Alberta in search of what eludes him: the...

  • Author:
    Spathelfer, Teoni
    Summary:

    A vivid dream teaches Little Wolf about courage and acceptance of those who are different, and inspires her to show her daughters their classmates how to be proud of their diverse cultural backgrounds. Throughout her life, Little Wolf...

  • Author:
    Dumas, William
    Summary:

    "With her sapotawan ceremony fast approaching, Amō must choose her mīthikowisiwin, a gift she will develop through apprenticeship. Her sister, Pīsim, chose to become a midwife; others gather medicines or harvest fish. But none of...

  • Author:
    Spillett-Sumner, Tasha
    Summary:

    A simple story exploring the feelings of a mixed heritage child who begins to notice the physical differences between her mother's features and her own. One day, Izzy notices that her skin looks different from her mama's. "Mama,"...

  • Author:
    Holden, Sarabeth
    Summary:

    Benny loves bananas. He eats them morning, noon, and night. He even rides a bike with a yellow banana seat. In fact, Benny has a secret, he hopes one day he will turn into a banana! And if there is one thing Benny knows, it's that with...

  • Author:
    Pennock, Tyler
    Summary:

    Indigenous Poetry; Cree Identity; Métis Identity; Two-Spirit; Colonialism; Sex Work; Relationships; Trauma Remembrance; Memory; Reconciliation; Healing

  • Author:
    Wouters, Teresa
    Summary:

    Set in the 2000s on the fictional reserve of Pâ-ko-sey-i-mo-min, 16-year-old Josh "Creeboy" navigates the world of Indigenous gang life. His dad, the leader of one of the gangs on his reserve, is in jail, and his older brother Darion...

  • Author:
    Davidson, Sara Florence
    Summary:

    "The invitations have been sent. The food has been prepared. The decorations have been hung. And now the day of the potlatch has finally arrived! Guests from all over come to witness this bittersweet but joyful celebration of Haida...

  • Author:
    McCaskill, Don N., Fontaine, Jerry
    Summary:

    An Indigenized, de-colonized world view for Indigenous leaders and academics seeking a path to reconciliation. Indigenization within the academy and the idea of truth and reconciliation within Canada have been seen as the remedy to...

  • Author:
    Caetano, Cody
    Summary:

    The Caetanos move into a doomed house in the highway village of Happyland before an inevitable divorce pulls Cody’s parents in separate directions. His mom, Mindimooye, having discovered her Anishinaabe birth family and Sixties Scoop...

  • Author:
    Meyok, Rosemarie
    Summary:

    In this adorable book to be shared with babies and toddlers, mothers explore their love for their babies as experienced through the five senses. From the sound of a baby's giggles to the smell of a kunik, this book celebrates the unique...

  • Author:
    Soliman, Nikki
    Summary:

    Indig-enough is a self-awareness celebration of walking in two worlds. Whichever way you choose to present yourself to the world it is important to stand in your power and be true to yourself while holding onto your Traditional...

  • Author:
    Koonoo, Brian
    Summary:

    In this harrowing survival story, Brian Koonoo takes off on a hunting trip in Canada's Arctic. After his snowmobile breaks down, his GPS loses signal, and his camping fuel runs low, Brian is left alone to survive for seven days. He...

  • Author:
    Anderson-Sullivan, Jerleen
    Summary:

    Jerleen Sullivan Anderson from Norway House Cree Nation shares the story of her brother Jordan River Anderson and their Mom Virginia Anderson in her book Jordan and Mom. Jerleen writes this book so that we can remember Jordan and the...

  • Author:
    Philpot, Don K., George, Doris
    Summary:

    A magical children's picture book, written in Cree and English, depicting the transformation of a barren landscape into a rich natural world where an elderly couple can spend their remaining days. Rooted in the historical displacement...

  • Author:
    June, Chelsey, Jaaji
    Summary:

    Maakusie loves music! But what makes music in the Arctic so special? Join Maakusie as he practises katajjaniq (throat singing) and learns ajaja songs, drumming, and more! Explore everything from traditional instruments to dances to the...

  • Author:
    Davis, Shawna
    Summary:

    This story is about the lands I was raised on. I come from the Gitksan and Nisga’a Nations, two neighbouring Nations that are tucked in the vast mountains of the Northwest Coast of British Columbia. Our Adaawk, our oral history, brings...

  • Author:
    MacEachern, Shanika, MacEachern, Muinji'j
    Summary:

    'The story of the Mi'kmaw people is one that very few truly know, Ladybug. Even fewer understand what happened at the residential schools. It is a hard story to tell, but you must know the truth. Sit and I will tell you the story.' When...

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