Goodbye Buffalo Bay and As Long as the Rivers Flow chosen for First Nation Literacy Partnership Project

Press Release: Living Traditions Writers Group, March 5, 2010


Aboriginal author's books honoured

Cree children's book author Larry Loyie and partner Constance Brissenden display a poster featuring two of his award-winning books.

Goodbye Buffalo Bay (Theytus) and As Long as the Rivers Flow (Groundwood) were chosen for distribution to students in the Durham District School Board east of Toronto, as well as in First Nations communities across Ontario.

In all, only four books were chosen for this major purchase. "I'm thrilled that my books were selected," says Larry Loyie. "It proves that knowledge about Aboriginal history and traditions is valued." For more on Loyie's books, see his website: www.firstnationswriter.com

The books will be distributed under the First Nations Literacy Partnership Project. The project involves the Durham District School Board (DDSB), Durham Regional Police Service, Durham College, Ontario Provincial Police, North-South Partnership for Children, Baagwating Community Association, and the Rotary Club.

"The project is about people connecting with one another through books and other media like the Internet," says Bill Littlefair, Aboriginal studies education officer with the school board. "The books will encourage learning and understanding more about First Nations histories, cultures and perspectives in Ontario schools." For more on the project and a full list of titles, go to: www.durham.edu.on.ca