history of libraries and indigenous languages

Voices From our Past Present and Future: Indigenous Languages and Libraries

HistoryandProtocols

CLA Conference 2014

Libraries are not neutral entities in society

Libraries are sites of colonial oppression*

*though they do

good stuff too

This kind of thinking can be dangerous:

“we know what people need; they just can’t articulate it”…because it is patronizing

Libraries were part of the genocidal project of the Americas

Bison Skull Pile. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Bison_skull_pile_edit.jpg

Who were Aboriginal language books written for?

HINT: usually not Aboriginal people

Traditional Olympic Coat, 1965. http://www.hbcheritage.ca/hbcheritage/history/blanket/outerwear/home

“Having books in which the vernacular is found would foster its use and the more the mother tongue is kept alive the more is the child diffident in using the English language” – Edgar Dewdney, Indian Commissioner at Regina

A Primer for the U

se of the Mohaw

k Children cover. Internet Archive. https://archive.org/details/cihm

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But! Native people wanted libraries!

• Mohawk school

• Charles Angus Cooke

• Aamjiwnaang library in Sarnia (Chippewas)

• Lady Wood library

Where do librarians

fit into this history?

Funding for libraries on reserve is still a problem

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Susan Jones.. 2011. http://www.stalbertgazette.com/article/20111012/SAG0801/310129972/cree-immersion-classes-begin-at-alexander-first-nation

Librarians believe in responding to community needs…right?

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Can’t separate serving Aboriginal communities from supporting indigenous languages

Image courtesy of Jessie Loyer

Maintaining relationships are

central to indigenous

communities AND to libraries

Indigenous languages connect us to the land and to each other

Image courtesy of Jessie Loyer

Rooted in place. Rooted in the land.

Image courtesy of Jessie Loyer

How to go forward?Actively assessing your role as library and individual librarians in oppression, acknowledging privilege, and listening

Image courtesy of Jessie Loyer

To linguists and anthropologists, we thank you.

But we need to be conscious of who is involvedImage courtesy of Sarah Quick

“For Indigenous ppl, reclaiming language involves overcoming many obstacles. For Settlers, learning our languages is for fun.”

@apihtawikosisan

Experts already exist; don’t reinvent the wheel

Dorothy Thunder. ammsa.com Lorna Williams. http://www.tru.ca/sils/schedule/lornawilliams.html

Larry Grant. ubc.ca

Remove barriers to access

Educate yourself on cultural sensitivities and restrictions

Image courtesy of Jessie Loyer

Do not romanticize

tâpasinahâcimowasinahikan: comic book

tâpasinah: to drawâcimo: to tell a story-asinahikan: book

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Things can change

Being in right relationship, acting in a good way

Image courtesy of Keshia Manywounds

Why are we doing this?Who benefits?Who else can be a part of this?

Reciprocity

Image courtesy of Keshia Manywounds

Connect with your communityBe responsive to their needsBe aware of your roleRestore historical relationships

Image courtesy of Jessie Loyer

Jessie Loyer, Librarian, Mount Royal University@jmloyerjloyer@mtroyal.ca