Indigenous Initiatives Projects at UAlberta Libraries

Here at the library we have a stellar team of library folks working on indigenous projects to further our commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

The team consists of:
Kathleen De Long, Associate University Librarian
Kim Bates, Learning Manager
Kayla Lar-Son, Academic Librarian Resident
Gabrielle Lamontagne, Indigenous Intern
Leigha Rind, Indigenous Intern
Geordie Cardinal, Public Service Assistant
Larry Laliberte, GIS Librarian
Debbie Feisst, Interim Head, HT Coutts Library
Sharon Farnel, Metadata Coordinator
Anne Carr-Wiggin, Coordinator, Indigenous Initiatives
Paul Gareau, Assistant Professor, Native Studies.

Here’s a quick overview of what they have been working on lately. Stay tuned for more updates on these projects in the future.

On May 8, 2019 Paul Gareau and Tanya Ball from the Faculty of Native Studies provided some insights into Indigenous Research Data Management (RDM) from the perspectives of a faculty member and a PhD student. Kayla Lar-Son (UAL Digital Initiatives) moderated the session while discussing the concept of Indigenous data sovereignty.

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One of the best parts of my job is being an embedded librarian for the Transition Year Program, First People's House, and the Faculty of Native Studies! . . . [Image descriptions: 1. Kayla does a superstar pose in front of First People's House 2. Kayla dances in front of the Transition Year Program office 3. Making visual art journals with Native Studies 362 4. Kayla and Dr. Paul Gareau pose next to a photo of Gabriel Dumont 5. Kayla sits on a chair in the Strynadka/Brady Reading Room, pointing up at a poster that says "We are all Treaty People"] #TakeOver #UAlberta #IndigenousLibrarians #NativeStudies #FirstPeoplesHouseUofA #LibrariesOfInstagram

A post shared by University of Alberta Library (@uofalibraries) on Feb 20, 2019 at 11:12am PST

As part of a recent Instagram takeover, Indigenous Academic Resident Kayla Lar-Son highlighted some of the work that she is doing in Digital Initiatives (DI) including spotlighting some of UAL’s unique Indigenous collections. Currently, issues of Alberta Native News are in the process of being digitized in a project lead by DI Librarian Michelle Brailey.

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Ever wonder what hides behind this door on Cameron second floor? It's Digital Initiatives! Some of the work we do includes Open Educational Resources and evaluating Northern Indigenous photos. . . . [Image descriptions: 1. Kayla pops her head behind the window of the door into digital initiatives. 2. Kayla and Michelle, the Digital Projects Librarian, hold up info on Open Educational Resources. 3. Kayla sits at her desk with two images from the Northern Collection displayed on her screen. One is a man standing in front of a tent and the other is of an Inuit child carrying a toddler in an amauti] #TakeOver #UAlberta #IndigenousLibrarians #LibrariesOfInstagram #OpenEducationalResources

A post shared by University of Alberta Library (@uofalibraries) on Feb 21, 2019 at 8:15am PST

The Decolonizing Description Project team has been actively engaging members of Indigenous communities both on and off the UAlberta campus in a holistic, collaborative, flexible and ongoing process to address problematic terminology in resource descriptions. Knowledge gathering events on North and Augustana campuses, as well as at the Maskekosihk (Enoch) First Nation open house, have been well received, and we have learned a great deal that we can apply to our practices. Further knowledge gathering sessions are being planned.

UAL staff have been working with health sciences students, faculty and clinicians to envision what a Health Sciences Indigenous Information and Learning Commons as part of the Health Sciences Library might be.  Several engagement sessions with stakeholders have been held through March and April.

Kayla Lar-Son, Allison Sivak and Leigha Rind hosted library sessions for Native Studies - Aboriginal Women (NS 362) students before their class every Tuesday evening during the Winter 2019 term. To focus on building relationships, the sessions were casual and there was always time for coffee & visiting. The students were given instructional sessions about library services. They also visited Jessica Thorlakson in Cameron library for a 3D Printing tour, explored hidden gems in the Circumpolar collection, and created work for their class project, the Visual Arts Journal.

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A post shared by University of Alberta Library (@uofalibraries) on Feb 19, 2019 at 10:24am PST

UAL is happy to announce a new electronic resource 4 Seasons of Reconciliation, a multi-media teaching unit that promotes a renewed relationship between Indigenous Peoples and Canadians. This educational initiative, developed for secondary, post-secondary and the workplace incorporates teacher guides, slideshows, videos and films along with engaging online portals.