Author Archives: sfedko

Brown, L., & Strega, S. (Eds.). (2005). Research as resistance: Critical, indigenous and anti-oppressive approaches. Canadian Scholars’ Press. From http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-                  bin/catsearch?bid=3359971

This book examines indigenous research within the social sciences context.   There is discussion of research as part of throwing off past oppression of indigenous people.   The book reviews different methodologies for research, and is focused on research in Canada.

Kovach, M. (2010). Conversation method in Indigenous research. First Peoples Child & Family Review, 5(1), 40-48 from http://journals.sfu.ca/fpcfr/index.php/FPCFR/article/viewFile/172/141

Through the examination of two projects, this article examines the use of “conversation” as a research method, i.e. Information is gathered through stories. The author also addresses using this method within an indigenous understanding or mindset, which she explains is necessary for ‘conversation’ to truly be considered an indigenous research method. She also explores the relationship of the researcher to his/her research in this model and other ethical issues.

Kovach, M. E. (2010). Indigenous methodologies: Characteristics, conversations, and contexts. University of Toronto Press from http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=8464664

In this book, Kovach examines how indigenous research methodologies flow from tribal culture, and while they have some relationship to Western thought, they remain unique.   Kovach provides practical advice for those looking to use indigenous methodologies in their research including issues such as developing protocol and ethics.     The author includes stories from different indigenous researchers, and also references her own work using indigenous methodologies.

Smith, L. T. (2013). Decolonizing methodologies: Research and indigenous peoples. Zed Books Ltd. from            http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=7954124

This books examines the intersection between imperialism and traditional western research.   Smith discusses how the idea of ‘research’ from a western perspective is part of the painful memories of colonization for indigenous people.   Smith goes on to discuss how decolonizing research through exploration of indigenous methods can help indigenous people reclaim their own knowledge and identity.

Steinhauer, E. (2002). Thoughts on an Indigenous Research Methodology. Canadian Journal of Native Education, 26(2), 69-81 from

https://search-proquest-com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/docview/230309895?pq-origsite=summon&accountid=14656

This article reviews types of indigenous research methodologies, as wel as the importance of indigenous researchers, indigenous people as researchers, as well as indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing.

For this weblog, I focused on looking for resources about library services and support for indigenous patrons.

1.Aboriginal collections and library services in Canadian research libraries (2014, August). Retrieved July 12, 2017, from

http://www.carl-abrc.ca/doc/Aboriginal_research_collections_and_libary_services_AGM_2014-final.pdf

This is a working paper, which highlights aboriginal collections and services provided at research libraries across Canada.   It includes a discussion of how librarians endeavoring to develop resources or set up services for indigenous users need to do so with an understanding of indigenous knowledge.

2. COPPUL Libraries Indigenous Initiatives: U of Saskatchewan. (2014, September). Retrieved July 14, 2017, from http://www.coppul.ca/sites/default/files/uploads/LeeSept18.pdf

This presentation at COPPUL (Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries) highlights       resources, community collaborations, and events that University of Saskatchewan Libraries has           supported in order to research out to their local indigenous communities.

3. Hare, J., & Abbott, W. (2015). Library support for Indigenous university students: Moving from the periphery to the mainstream. Evidence Based Library and Information Practice, 10(4), 80-94. From: https://journals.library.ualberta.ca/eblip/index.php/EBLIP/article/view/25413/19285

This article describes a study to assess whether indigenous services provided at academic     libraries in Australia are indeed in line with students’ needs.   The study was conducted by surveying librarians and indigenous students.   The study concluded that the vast majority of libraries provide indigenous services, and that Australian libraries demonstrate a dedication to serving their indigenous students.

4. Library Assistance for Indigenous Students. (n.d.). Retrieved July 11, 2017, from http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/indigenous/support-services/library-assistance.html

University of Winnipeg libraries includes a page on their website specifically highlighting assistance for indigenous students including library guides, general resources, and contact information for the indigenous and urban services librarian.   I think it’s great that the library is trying to reach out to their indigenous students, not only through various resources on the web but my making a specific librarian available to them.

5. Roy, Loriene, and Antonia Frydman. Library Services to Indigenous Populations: Case Studies. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2017, from https://www.ifla.org/publications/library-services-to-indigenous-populations-case-studies

This book produced by IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations) is meant to serve as  a reference book for librarians interested in services for indigenous populations.  The book                  includes case studies from around the world.

1.CFLA Truth and Reconciliation Committee Report & Recommendations. (2017, April 21). Retrieved June 15, 2017, from https://librarianship.ca/news/cfla-trc-report/

This is the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA) Report on the Truth and Reconciliation Committee.   The CFLA makes a wide variety of recommendations including decolonizing knowledge organization and library spaces, seeking more opportunities for indigenous librarians, and documenting best practices for indigenous librarianship. The organization also seeks to encourage Canadian libraries and archives to implement relevant sections of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee report.

2.Doyle, A. M., Lawson, K., & Dupont, S. (2015). Indigenization of Knowledge Organization at the Xwi7xwa Library. Journal of Library and Information Studies, 13(2), 107-134.

https://open.library.ubc.ca/cIRcle/collections/ubclibraryandarchives/29962/items/1.0103204

This article examines practices for indigenous knowledge organization through a discussion of the Xwi7xwa Library , the Indigenous studies library at the University of British Columbia.   The authors address various practices at the library including effective knowledge organization for indigenous materials, which they highlight as important for effective instruction and research.  The article concludes with a discussion of possible future collaborations and how it may use new technologies to continue to support indigenous knowledge.

3.Lee, D. (2011). Indigenous knowledge organization: A study of concepts, terminology, structure and (mostly) indigenous voices. Partnership: The Canadian Journal of Library and Information Practice and Research, 6(1). https://journal.lib.uoguelph.ca/index.php/perj/article/viewArticle/1427/2089#.WUWY_IqQzBI

The author reports on her survey of librarians at professional conferences on their institution’s use of modified classification systems for indigenous content.   The general consensus was that there is no ‘one size fits all solutions’ and that local systems should be developed and used to fit community needs.

4.Moulaison Sandy, H., & Bossaller, J. (2017). Providing Cognitively Just Subject Access to Indigenous Knowledge through Knowledge Organization Systems. Cataloging & Classification Quarterly, 55(3), 129-152. http://www-tandfonline-com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/doi/abs/10.1080/01639374.2017.1281858

I thought this article was particularly interesting because it discusses creating a knowledge organization scheme for indigenous knowledge that respects indigenous worldviews as a matter of justice.   Forcing western worldviews on them (through western classification schemes) is unfair and marginalizing.   The authors discuss new technologies as an important tool to move away from old universal classification schemes to specialized ones as one way to support indigenous knowledge organization.

5.Xwi7xwa Library. Indigenous Librarianship. (2017, April 24). Retrieved June 15, 2017, from http://guides.library.ubc.ca/c.php?g=307208

This is a research guide created by the Xwi7xwa Library, the indigenous studies library at UBC, and focus on resources relevant to indigenous librarianship.   It includes lists of recommended books, media, and theses as well as associations, which support indigenous librarianship.   This research guide also includes lists of key sources on important topics in indigenous librarianship such as Indigenous knowledge organization, cultural and intellectual property, and reconciliation.   This is an excellent source for any librarian seeking to improve his/her knowledge about indigenous librarianship.