First Nation Communities Read Celebrates 10th Anniversary with New Book Award Announcement

TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2013 /CNW/ - First Nation Communities Read, in partnership with Periodical Marketers of Canada (PMC), announced the inauguration of a significant new book award, the Aboriginal Literature Award. The award of $5,000 is provided through a funding commitment from Periodical Marketers of Canada, the  association of book and magazine distributors.

First Nation Communities Read, a program of the First Nations public library community in Ontario, promotes Aboriginal literacy, and increases national and international awareness of the availability, importance, and relevance of Aboriginal literature. The launch of the Aboriginal Literature Award coincides with the tenth anniversary of the First Nations Community Read program to recognize creators of Aboriginal literature.

First Nation Communities Read focuses in alternate years on Aboriginal literature for adults and young adults, and Aboriginal literature for children. The current (2013-2014) selection is Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese. The 2014-2015 selection will be a children's titles.

The 2014-15 title selection will be announced in May, timed to encourage Aboriginal literature displays and programming during National Aboriginal History Month and National Aboriginal Day celebrations in June, when the first Aboriginal Literature Award will be presented.

On behalf of the members of Periodical Marketers of Canada (PMC), PMC Executive Director Ray Argyle said: "All of us at PMC feel privileged to fund this award which recognizes the work of the creators of outstanding Aboriginal literature and supports the objectives of our Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Letters."

Speaking on behalf of First Nation Communities Read, Karen Foster, juror and librarian at Chippewas of Georgina Island First Nation Public Library, added: "A funded award has been a longtime goal for us. This new partnership with Periodical Marketers of Canada is a wonderful 10th anniversary achievement. We look forward to beginning First Nation Communities Read's second decade with an enhanced program and the additional program stature PMA's endorsement provides."

Periodical Marketers of Canada (PMC) is the national association of magazine and book wholesalers serving 35,000 retail outlets and is the longtime sponsor of the Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Letters (FACL). PMC was established under federal charter in 1942 for the purpose of furthering the wholesale periodical distribution industry and contributing to the encouragement of reading in Canada. Current members of the association are: Monahan Agency, Vernon, BC; Benjamin News, Montreal, QC; Metro News, Toronto, ON; The News Group, Burlington, ON. For more information about PMC, contact:

First Nation Communities Read (FNCR) is an annual reading program launched in 2003 by the First Nations public library community in Ontario with support from Southern Ontario Library Service. Promoting a community-based approach to reading, FNCR encourages family literacy, intergenerational storytelling, and intergenerational information sharing; increases awareness of the relevance and importance of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit writing, illustration, and publishing; promotes the publication, sharing, and understanding of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit voices and experiences; increases awareness and sales of the titles it honours.

Southern Ontario Library Service (SOLS) is mandated to deliver programs and services on behalf of the Ontario Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport by: increasing cooperation and coordination among public library boards and other information providers in order to promote the provision of library service to the public; assisting public library boards by providing them with services and programs that reflect their needs, including consultation, training and development.

First Nation Communities Read is funded in part by the Canada Book Fund at Canadian Heritage.

 

 

SOURCE: Periodical Marketers of Canada

Patty Lawlor, First Nations Consultant
Southern Ontario Library Service
Telephone: [phone], Ext. 5108
E-mail: [email protected]