THUNDER BAY -- The Thunder Bay Public Library has joined the efforts of the Canadian Federation of Library Associations to act on the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Chief Librarian John Pateman says those actions will include measures to decolonize library operations and services through a variety of measures.
Pateman led one of four teams established by the national association's Truth and Reconciliation Committee which recently submitted a report with a series of recommendations to the Canadian Federation of Library Association's board of directors.
The committee itself was established by utilizing and adapting the traditional medicine wheel framework under the guidance of two elders.
The association describes its mandate as promoting initiatives in all types of libraries to advance reconciliation by supporting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action.
Pateman says public libraries have a responsibility to put the commission's findings into practice and can contribute directly "particularly around, for example, access to educational resources and language resources...It's a case of kind of redirecting or bending our resources to deliver those recommendations."
The recommendations include decolonizing by addressing "the structural biases in existing schemes of knowledge organization and information retrieval arising from colonialism...recognizing and supporting indigenous cultures, languages and knowledge through culturally appropriate space planning, interior design, signage" in collaboration with local Indigenous stakeholders, and enhancing opportunities for indigenous library professionals through culturally appropriate recruitment practices and cross-cultural training.
Pateman said it's fundamentally about looking at the way things are done in the public library service and removing any built-in barriers for access by the First Nations community.
"Witting or unwitting, some of our procedures could be exclusive, not just to First Nations people but to other groups. So it's a fundamental review of what we do to make sure we truly are open to all," he said.
Pateman noted that the fact the library levies fines for overdue books "can create a financial barrier, not just for First Nations people but for anybody."
"Decolonization, to me, in the context of public libraries is to look hard within ourselves, within our organizations, at the things that we are familiar with and very comfortable with, and making sure that those are not a mystery to others or indeed a barrier."
Pateman said a critical piece in the decolonization agenda is that any changes that affect them should be led by members of the First Nations community.
The Thunder Bay Public Library, he added, is ahead of the game in that it already has a paid aboriginal liaison intern in place, who's provided valuable insight. One of the outcomes of that input is the creation of an aboriginal advisory group that gives the library a direct voice from the community.
According to the chief librarian, some of the recommendations are being implemented quickly, while others will require reflection, meaningful engagement, consultation and leadership from First Nations.
The Truth and Reconciliation Committee is creating a section on the national association's website dedicated to promoting best practices for promoting education regarding indigenous issues, to support reconciliation, and to meet the needs of indigenous communities.
Next month, Pateman will submit to the Thunder Bay library board a report that will outline a timeline for local objectives and steps.
