Thunder Bay’s public libraries hope creating new spaces for Indigenous books and items will be a good step towards reconciliation.
Director of Collections Angela Meady tells us they’ve created areas at each branch to highlight works by Indigenous authors, including new books to help people of all ages learn Indigenous languages.
“We have respected the fact, it’s essential for the community to re-learn their language, for those that have been interrupted by the residential school experience, or for other reasons.”
Library officials note they’ll be reaching out to the Indigenous community to help them give the Indigenous Knowledge Centres a new Ojibway-language name.
Indigenous Liaison Robyn Medicine tells us it’s meant for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to use, and to make these resources more accessible.
“We’ve been listening to the same colonial story for so long, it’s time that we commit our resources to improve our collection at the library. We’re at a very unique position to accommodate the needs of the Indigenous community.”
Library officials say they hope to grow their collections with more works by Indigenous people, and add local Indigenous art to the spaces.