LibGuides: A Place to Start: Talking to Management

What Management Should Know

Three Reasons Why Building Good Relationships with Indigenous Communities Should be a Priority for YOUR Library

1. Reconciliation frameworks and initiatives have been enacted by all levels of government in BC.

Provincial: In November 2019 the BC Government passed the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act into Law. This establishes the United Nations Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP, 2015) as the framework for reconciliation in BC.
Regional: Many regional districts in BC have published reconciliation statements.
- Here is an example from the Central Coast Regional District, Located on the unceded territories of the Heiltsuk Nation, Nuxalk Nation, and Wuikinuxv Nation, as well as the Kitasoo/Xai'Xais Nation and Ulkatcho Nation.
Municipal: Many BC municipalities have integrated reconciliation into their strategic plans:
- The City of Vancouver
- The City of Prince George
- More initiatives are chronicled by the Union of BC Municipalities (here).

2. Libraries in BC and Canada are already doing it!

In response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action, the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA-FCAB) has published a framework with ten recommendations to decolonize library practice.
The British Columbia Library Association (BCLA) First Nations Interest Group (FNIG) encourages positive reciprocal relationships between First Nations communities and information organizations.
Libraries have reconciliation and relationship building as part of their strategic plans
- Vancouver Public Library
- District of North Vancouver Library

3. BC's Schools are doing it!

BC Teachers Federation and Reconciliation

New Westminster School District

Images from Pixabay

Training for your Library

Links to more Training

Kairos Blanket Exercise
Build understanding about the shared history of Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island.

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Founded in 2001 as an ecumenical movement for ecological justice and human rights.
Indigenous Corporate Training Inc.
Work effectively with Indigenous Communities. Free and paid training available.

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Founded in 2002 by Bob Joseph, a Gwawaenuk Nation member . Bob Joseph is a certified Master Trainer, with a background in business administration and former associate professor at Royal Roads University.
Indigenous Perspectives Society
Effective and culturally appropriate support for Indigenous children youth and families. Training includes social work, community and family support, leadership and governance best practices, justice and equity, and cultural perspectives.

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Founded 25 years ago in BC as the Caring for First Nations Children Society. IPS has provided training on behalf of the BC Government.
Indigenous Awareness Canada
Cultivate meaningful and successful relationships with Indigenous Communities. Training around awareness, outreach, recruitment and retention.

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Indigenous awareness certification and training approved by employers across Canada. 100 per cent Indigenous owned and operated.
Indigenous Cultural Competency Training
Build skills, knowledge, attitudes and values essential to fostering positive and productive relationships with Indigenous people.

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Facilitated by the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres.

A Place to Start: Talking to Management

Questions to answer before talking to management

What Management Should Know

Training for your Library

What Good Relations with Indigenous Communities can Look Like