First Nation Communities READ announced the selected titles for the 2021-2022 PMC Indigenous Literature Award for children’s and young adult/adult books.

Children’s

It’s a Mitig! by Bridget George, published by Douglas and McIntyre.

Bridget George is an Anishinaabe author-illustrator who was raised on the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation and currently lives in London, Ontario. George’s first book combines Anishnaabemowin and English in a creative rhyming form.

Young Adult/Adult

Orange Shirt Day September 30 by Phyllis Webstad and Joan Sorley, published Medicine Wheel Education.

The Orange Shirt Day movement was born out of Phyllis Webstad’s personal experience at a residential school. Her friend, Joan Sorley, encouraged Phyllis to share her story publicly, and that story along with the efforts of the Orange Shirt Society led to the recognition of September 30th as Orange Shirt Day.

The shortlist and winners, chosen by a jury of Indigenous librarians from across Ontario, represent the best of Indigenous literature. The two $5,000 prizes are sponsored by Periodical Marketers of Canada. The full announcement and shortlist are available online.