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First Nation Communities Read (FNCR) is an annual reading program and award led by the First Nations Public Library Community in Ontario. It is supported by the Ontario Library Service (formerly Southern Ontario Library Service) and the Government of Canada through the Canadian Book Fund, as well as through in-kind support from the Ontario Library Association, Goodminds.com, and Quill & Quire. The Periodical Marketers of Canada sponsor the $3,000 PMC Indigenous Literature Award, two of which are presented annually, one to the author of a children's book and one to the author of a young adult/adult book that are written and/or illustrated by a First Nation, Métis, or Inuit creator.

Currently coordinated by Nancy Cooper, the First Nation Communities Read program recognizes literature created by First Nation, Métis, or Inuit people, or that which is created in consultation with and endorsed by these Nations or communities. Through its selections, First Nation Communities Read promotes the publication, sharing and understanding of First Nation, Métis, or Inuit voices and experiences. The program also increases awareness of the importance of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit writing, illustration, and publishing.

In addition to its annual award selections, the First Nation Communities Read program facilitates library programming and encourages participation by both First Nations and non-First Nations public libraries through author readings, book signings, the distribution and sale of an annual poster, and other activities.

History
First Nation Communities Read first developed out of a grassroots initiative by a planning committee of the Ontario First Nation public libraries seeking to expand the impact of First Nations Public Library Week in 2002. The program officially launched in 2003 as a 'communities read' program after seeking out 50 donated copies of Tomson Highway's DragonflyKites/Pímíhákanísa from HarperCollins Canada for Ontario's First Nation public libraries. Juried selections for the program's chosen title began in 2004. First Nation Communities Read was originally coordinated by Patty Lawlor.

From 2004-2006, the call for submissions to publishers was an open one, accepting any in-print books that were by Indigenous authors or illustrators, dealt with Indigenous peoples and cultures, or were supported by Indigenous consultation. In 2008, the committee restricted submissions for the first time, requesting only children's titles. In 2012, the selection committee requested submissions in the young adult/adult category for the first time, but the children's category did not accept submissions that year. As a result, between 2012-2017, the award was offered in alternating years to each category. In 2018, the committee began awarding in both categories simultaneously.

The addition of the funded PMC Indigenous Literature Award began in 2013, marking the 10-year anniversary of the program. The award was initially known as the PMC Aboriginal Literature Award and awarded $5000 to the author of the selected title. In 2018, the award was renamed the PMC Indigenous Literature Award and was changed to two awards of $3000 to accommodate the change in award structure.

Selections
First Nation Communities Read selections represent the best of Indigenous literature from across Canada. These selections encourage family literacy, and intergenerational storytelling and information sharing. Books chosen for the program and the award must:


 * be authored and/or illustrated by a First Nation, Métis, or Inuit creator
 * contain First Nation, Métis, or Inuit content
 * be published with support or endorsement from Indigenous advisors and consultants

To compile a long list in each category, there is an annual call to publishers for submissions. The short lists are selected by a volunteer jury of Indigenous librarians from across Ontario who read, assess, and discuss the books before selecting one winning title from each of the award categories: Children's and Young Adult/Adult. Annual title selections are announced in September and are honoured at The Word on the Street Festival in Toronto and during First Nations Public Library Week in Ontario, which is the first week in October.

All First Nation Communities Read selections are made available for purchase through Goodminds.com, which is an Indigenous-owned bookstore and publisher located in the Six Nations of the Grand River in Brantford. Goodminds.com is official wholesaler for First Nation Communities Read and a portion of all sales through Goodminds.com goes to support First Nations public libraries in Ontario.

Annual Winners and Nominees
The annual shortlists and winners in the Children's and Young Adult/Adult categories are listed chronologically.