First Nation Communities Read 2015-2016 Announces Winner of the PMC (Periodical Marketers of Canada) Aboriginal Literature Award
Peace Pipe Dreams by Darrell Dennis
Toronto, June 10, 2015 – First Nation Communities Read (FNCR) and Periodical Marketers of Canada (PMC) are pleased to announce jointly that:
- Peace Pipe Dreams: The Truth about Lies about Indians, by Darrell Dennis and published by Douglas & McIntyre is the selected title of FNCR 2015-2016 and the recipient of this year’s PMC $5000 Aboriginal Literature Award.
The Aboriginal Literature Award, inspired by the goals of the FNCR program, recognizes the work of the creators of outstanding Aboriginal literature and supports the objectives of PMC’s Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Letters (FACL). The annual award of $5,000 is provided through a FACL funding commitment. PMC, with FNCR jurors on hand, will present the award to Darrell Dennis at 3:30 pm on Wednesday June 24th, at the National Aboriginal Day celebrations held at Yonge Dundas Square in Toronto, Ontario.
A jury of librarians from First Nation public libraries in Ontario, with coordination support from Southern Ontario Library Service, selected Peace Pipe Dreams from more than 19 titles submitted by Canadian publishers. An announcement of five short- list contenders preceded the selection decision. In arriving at its selection decision, the jury agreed that the book is an important one that dispels myths and untruths about Aboriginal people in Canada today and sets the record straight. The author tackles such complicated issues such as religion, treaties, and residential schools with knowledge, tact and humour, leaving readers with a greater understanding of our complex Canadian history.
Periodical Marketers of Canada is the national association of magazine and book wholesalers serving 35,000 retail newsstands. Periodical Marketers of Canada 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; Metro News, Toronto, ON; TNG, Burlington, ON. PMC’s ongoing activities include funding of a nonprofit charitable foundation, the Foundation for the Advancement of Canadian Letters, which makes contributions to individuals and agencies engaged in the encouragement of literacy and reading in Canada.
For more information about Periodical Marketers of Canada, contact:
Periodical Marketers of Canada
Suite 1007, 175 Bloor St. E.
South Tower
Toronto, ON M4W 3R8
Telephone: 1-613-583-7546
Fax: 416-968-6281
E-mail: barry@franciscommunications.com
First Nation Communities Read is the Ontario First Nation public library community’s contribution to the popular reading movement. Launched in 2003 by the First Nations Public Library Community in Ontario with support from Southern Ontario Library Service, it promotes 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 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.
For more information about First Nation Communities Read and Southern Ontario Library Service, contact:
Nancy Cooper, Acting First Nations Consultant
Telephone: 416-961-1669, Ext. 5194
Southern Ontario Library Service
E-mail: ncooper@sols.org
We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Book Fund for this project.
