Hello,

Article #10: Bridging the Gap: The Need for First Nations Libraries.

http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=27afaa3b-6c02-4776-914c-868c055889ae%40sessionmgr10&vid=6&hid=9

This article was found searching ebscohost again from the UBC Library. The article was originally published within the Canadian Library Association magazine in mid 2005. The article was well-written by First Nations Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, James Bartleman. The main theme of the article was describing the ‘gap’ in opportunities to access library materials for First Nations communities.

The author also talks of the importance of having access to libraries for younger First Nations students, and the importance of hosting activities of celebration such as First Nations Public Library Week.

It is interesting to read articles written in first person on real struggles of access to libraries for First Nations people.

-Regen

Hello,

Entry #9: More money to go to First Nations Library

http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=27afaa3b-6c02-4776-914c-868c055889ae%40sessionmgr10&vid=6&hid=9

This short article was found on ebscohost from the UBC library, and describes how First Nations public libraries in Northern Ontario will be getting an additional $1 million dollars to upgrade its services. The article was written within the Ontario Birchbark Newspaper (May 2006) which has also been coming up frequently within internet searches. Just having an established First Nations newspaper speaks volumes for the benefit that any sort of organized public literacy can bring to a community.

In terms of my research, this is quite interesting because it now has piqued my curiosity as to how much each province gets each year in terms of funding. In searching throughout ebscohost for academic articles it appears that ‘gaming’ revenue is mentioned quite a bit within articles concerning the Province of Ontario and its First Nations populations.

Thanks.

-Regen

ETEC 521:

Resource #8:

http://curvelakefirstnation.ca/services-and-departments/library.php

This website provides another example of a First Nations library in Southern Ontario, within the region of Curve Lake. Under the heading of ‘Services and Departments’ this site offers a great list of library services that it offers to its members. From the pictures the atmosphere of the library seems quite updated and inviting. The website is very professional too and seems like this First Nations group takes pride in the library.

Looking at some of the other tabs on the website, it was interesting to note that part of the Curve Lake Library is funded by the Ontario Lottery & Gaming (OLG) Corporation. I am not sure of the exact amount or if other Reserves receive this monetary support from the OLG. It would also be interesting to research how closely the funding is linked to the existing operation of the library. If the funding increased or decreased how would this impact the library in the future?

Thanks.

-Regen

ETEC 521: Final Paper Resource

Website #7:

http://www.uregina.ca/gencal/ugcal/FNUC/ugcal_399.shtml

Although my study will focus on youth library access and service, this website will provide some future direction to First Nations students within Western Canada.

This website highlights library & student service details of the University of Regina’s First Nations University of Canada. From the website, the library has…”70,000 items, including 66,200 volumes, monographs, periodicals, newspapers, vertical files, archival materials, government publications, microform, compact discs, videotapes, and DVDs. This collection provides a specialized collection that focuses on the Indigenous Peoples of North, South and Central America, of Indian, Inuit, and Métis ancestry and supplements the courses offered by both the First Nations University and the University of Regina.”

Thanks.

-Regen

Hello,

Here’s a site I came across during a ‘yahoo’ search….

http://www.forum2008.cmec.ca/en/presentations-aboriginal-literacy.html

This site provides access to past (2008) webinars and webcasts geared towards improving First Nations Literacy for students and adults alike within Canada.

Some overviews of the webcasts include the following….

“This presentation looks at the story of how people interested in improving literacy levels came together from Beardy’s and Okemasis First Nation to turn talk into action and respond to the literacy needs of their community. Sandi and Marlene walk participants through the development of a literacy plan for their community, and talk about some results of that plan.”

“This panel presentation brings together representatives from northern Saskatchewan communities and the Saskatchewan ministry of education’s Early Learning and Child Care Branch who are involved in early-literacy programming initiatives. Hannah and Bernice are literacy-committee members of the Pinehouse community. Rebecca is Kids First Program Manager for ELCC in LaRonge. Kathy is responsible for the pre-kindergarten programs.”

“In this presentation, Elmer, a journalist with the Regina Leader Post, reflects on the negative image he believes Aboriginal people have received in the mainstream media, where he did not see himself reflected. This session reviews how Elmer worked with Glenda McNab of the Gordon First Nation on a newspaper that told positive stories of Aboriginal people, with the Regina Leader Post printing and distributing the paper.”

What drew my attention to this website was the first account presentations that deal with specific regions of Canada. Even though I plan to focus my final paper on Library Services for First Nations youth, Literacy is a definite issue that can be supported under the umbrella of Library Services.

Thanks.

-Regen

My final research paper will be focusing on First Nations K-12 youth and their access to public libraries within Canada. School aged students typically have access to libraries within their schools, so I am therefore more concerned with student access to libraries outside of a school campus.

From what I have discovered thus far, it seems Canada’s First Nations population is only allowed to rent resources from ‘on-reserve’ libraries and not allowed to rent resources from publicly funded libraries. Since reserves typically do not raise tax dollars for use within non-reserve bordering cities, residents of reserves are therefore not permitted to use the available resources available for people who pay city taxes.

Again, I am just in the initial stages of research for my final paper but it seems as though this legislation does not make entire sense in regards to youth access to libraries. Since youth living on or off a reserve within Canada do not pay city taxes it seems strange to restrict access to public libraries.

Regardless of the fairness of the legislation, it is a shame that First Nations people cannot exploit the great resources and technology that libraries can offer. Finally, the paper will also try and match possible uses of technology to First Nations culture that may preserve and present First Nations culture in a unique and timely manner.

Thanks.

-Regen

Hello,

This fifth resource:

http://www.library.on.ca/links/clearinghouse/firstnations/index.htm

….provides hundreds of links to content concerning First Nations Library resources titled ‘Clearinghouse of Professional Information.’  Again, this site does represent the Ontario’s Library Service (OLS) but provides links for websites all over North America. Sub-topics for the website include: general information, advocacy, reading circles programs, libraries, planning, and special public funding programs.

The ‘libraries’ section is great in providing links to various First Nations library websites. This gives great ideas to other First Nations groups looking to establish or better support a library within Canada.

This website also does a great job in identifying Canadian content within the links by including a small logo of a Canadian flag beside the links that offer Canadian content. It is also useful to view American content in order to compare and contrast problems, ideas, and solutions with other countries First Nation’s groups.

Thanks.

-Regen

Hello,

The following web page:

http://www.olsn.ca/fnplw/index.aspx

…represents the Northern portion of Southern Ontario (hopefully this makes sense to you).

The webpage is meant to describe and draw attention to the yearly celebration of First Nations Public Libraries, given the acronym FNPLW. I’m not sure of the exact scope of the event but it seems to be celebrated within Ontario for sure, and it looks like its been going on for the past three years during the first week in February.

I think this sort of event is a great opportunity to showcase opportunities provided by a public Library where access is not an issue. This kind of event will also hopefully break down any imaginary walls for First Nations people regarding accessing literature in a plce that encourages use of materials.

I currently work in a secondary school library for one block, and since beginning this new area of teaching there seems to be an overwhelming amount of information distributed regaridng the incorportation of technology into teaching and learning. During my research of First Nations libraries so far there hasn’t been too much discussion of any incorportation of technology or possible uses that work best with oral traditions. Still searching though…

Thanks.

-Regen

Hello again,

Found this pdf document to help individuals build advocacy for ‘Tribal’ libraries.

The document is at the following address:

http://www.ala.org/offices/sites/ala.org.offices/files/content/olos/toolkits/tribal_toolkit.pdf

The document gives individuals key points & people to write to and present with in order to gain popularity for First Nations Libraries. 

This is the first American article I have read and it seems some of the terms were different when compared to general Canadian perspectives.

As for future websites and research, it seems that there is much more information and resources for the province of Ontario which makes me wonder why? I will further look into Reserve populations for each province and see if there are large differences from province to province. I will also look into if Ontario is just being more inclusive than other provinces.

Thanks.

-Regen

Hello,

Again, after conducting some online searches, I found a link to the home page for the Mississauga First Nation Public Library. The site can be accessed at the following address:

http://www.onlink.net/~mfnlib/library.htm

The site itself is nothing fancy but the successful implementation of the library itself is incredible. From the website, the library opened in 1986, and currently serves an on-reserve population of 465 people. Among lending all sorts of materials, the library also produces a Firts Naitions Newsletter that helps to inform the on and off Reserve populations.

This library represents the need and popularity of  library services in light of current access issues for First Nations populations within Canada. Establishing such libraries can only help to strengthen the community ties and involvement to each other and a common place of recreation.

Thanks.

-Regen