History of Libraries and Indigenous Languages
28
Voices From our Past Present and Future: Indigenous Languages and Libraries History and Protocols CLA Conference 2014
description
Briefly covers the history of indigenous languages and libraries, focusing on the role of the library in cultural genocide and language loss, then provides protocols and best practices for libraries seeking to support indigenous languages in their collections and programming.
Transcript of 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
_13268
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@[email protected]
