1D: Conversations and Collaborations: Making Space for Indigenous Initiatives in Our Libraries

Inspired by the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action, and the commitment of Thompson Rivers University to decolonization, reconciliation, and Indigenization, TRU Library has expanded its services for the campus Indigenous community. Along with additional hours of research assistance and one-on-one librarian appointments at the Indigenous Centre, Cplul’kw’ten, we are now conducting library orientation workshops specifically designed for Indigenous Peer Mentors. In June 2019, TRU Library and Indigenous Education co-hosted our first Indigenous book club event, “Books & Bannock”. Thirty-five members of the campus community read a book by an Indigenous author and shared their thoughts and insights at this lunchtime event. The Thompson-Nicola Regional Library has also been expanding Indigenous initiatives in its branches. In 2019, the TNRL hosted Ted Gottfriedson, Language and Culture Department Manager for the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc, for workshops and a presentation on the history and language of Secwepemctsín, encouraging others to learn the language. The TNRL is also working to update and increase our Secwepemctsín collection. In February 2020 the TNRL began an Indigenous Authors Book Club. Each meeting highlighted a different fiction or non-fiction book written by an Indigenous author. All the books came from the TNRL Book Club Set collection, which provides multiple copies of a book as well as discussion questions and author information. Participants enjoyed snacks and conversation about the shared read. Participants at this presentation will learn strategies for engagement, outreach and relationship building with Indigenous and non-Indigenous members of both TRU campus and the larger Kamloops community. We will share successes and learning opportunities from our engagement initiatives, as well share plans for future collaboration with a shared book club event