In November 2025 the Environmental Conservation Lab partnered with Shoal Lake 40 under the Kiskinhamakiwin program to share over 60,000 books with more than 12 Indigenous communities in Treaty Three and Five territories. The books shared were a community donation from Penguin Publishing representing 150 different authors for ages, K-12. This partnership fulfilled Sustainability Development Goals #4 Quality Education and #17 Partnerships and reached over 4500 students in Manitoba alone.
This trip was undertaken in two parts, the Ontario and Manitoba leg.
In Ontario, we shared the books with: Sioux Narrows, North West Bay, Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, Mine School and Lakehead University (as a resource hub for remote communities in Northern Ontario). Other communities were reached by the Northern Dryden Team.
In Manitoba, we shared the books with: Norway House Cree Nation, Cross Lake Cree Nation, Tataskweyak Cree Nation, Fox Lake Cree Nation, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation, Leaf Rapids, O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation, Opaskwayak Cree Nation, Pukatawagan Cree Nation as well as Newcomer organizations in Winnipeg (NEEDS and The Excel Empowerment Centre Inc.).
As part of the book drive, we documented examples of excellence in programming at the various institutions. Here is some of what we learned:
- This book delivery was the first new-book donation that Seine River in Ontario had received.
- Otter Nelson River School in Cross Lake, had a summer bison harvesting and teaching program that fostered collaboration and cultural exchange between the Northern and Southern communities involved.
- For the first time in 21 years, Thunderbird School in O-Pipon-Na-Piwin would be having a school book fair.
- The Chief Sam Cook Mahmuwee Education Centre in Split Lake has a thriving land-based program where youth constantly learn from resident Elders,
- Fox Lake School has a new Cree language program
- Nisichawayasihk has an engaged learners program offering literacy supported by the Youth Council.
- Many of the schools we visited are supporting year-round literacy programming with February’s I love to Read month.
- Leaf Rapids School has an increasing number of students taking up an interest in reading.
- It was especially encouraging to hear from Lisa Harris at the University that the books would be shared to numerous fly-in communities in Ontario.
When we set out on the partnership our goal was to spread kindness from Shoal Lake 40 to other communities during the holiday season. In addition to achieving this goal, we created or increased library resources, supported year-round literacy programming, supported community book fairs, and provided additional gifts for Christmas hampers. This trip was reminder of the positive effect reciprocity has when working with various Indigenous communities.
We are incredibly thankful to everyone who helped at all stages of the journey. Whether packing, ferry operators, or break down support. This project would not have been possible without the principals who helped with organizing the drop offs and shared the examples of excellence within their schools, it was a testament to the passion they have for their students’ education journeys.
We hope that this partnership highlights and fosters additional community collaboration.