Cindy Blackstock and Monique Gray Smith have won Periodical Marketers of Canada Indigenous Literature Awards. 

First Nation Communities READ 2019-2020 announced the winning titles, which were selected by a jury of Indigenous librarians from across Ontario.

Blackstock – who is a member of the Gitxsan First Nation – is executive director of the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society and a professor at McGill University’s school of social work. Her book, Spirit Bear: Fishing for Knowledge, Catching Dreams (First Nations Child and Family Caring Society), was selected in the children’s category.

Smith – who is Cree, Lakota, and Scottish – is the author of several award-winning titles for both adults and children. Smith is also an accomplished international speaker and owner of the Indigenous consulting firm, Little Drum Consulting. Her novel Tilly and the Crazy Eights (Second Story Press) was selected in the adult/YA category.

The two titles were honoured at Toronto’s Word on the Street on Sept. 22. Blacklock and Smith will be presented with the $3,000 Periodical Marketers of Canada Indigenous Literature Awards at a ceremony in November.