The PLC has launched a new Indigenous book collection named in memory of Elder Joe Big George who worked and spent time with incarcerated Manitobans. Joe believed in the value of books by Indigenous authors and about Indigenous histories and cultures as critical to help folks know more about their own identities. He was himself a voracious reader and spoke about how books created space for him to learn and grow.

Books collected and purchased for this collection will each have a bookplate affixed inside each book, designed and written by Joe’s loved ones.

The Manitoba Library Association- Prison Libraries Committee is collecting donations of Indigenous materials for Manitoba prisons.
Books by Indigenous writers (paperbacks preferred) can be dropped off at the following three locations (Please clearly mark your donations: “Attn: Prison Libraries Committee – Joe Big George Collection”:

1) Millennium Library
Loading dock (251 Donald Street)
Monday – Friday (9am-4pm)

2) St James-Assiniboia Library
1910 Portage Ave
Mon, Tues, Thurs (10am-8pm)
Friday and Saturday (10am-5pm)

3) Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba
544 Selkirk Ave
Monday to Friday (9am-4pm)

To donate money (please choose “Joe Big George” from the drop down menus):
1) Canada Helps – Manitoba Library Association page:
2) PayPal 

We are grateful for the following funding support:
Report – Goethe Institut-Toronto