By Karen Niven
The Ottawa Public Library (OPL) bookmark says it all: “Learn more!/En apprendre plus!” The staff at the Rideau branch are eager to help us do just that.
The images on the bookmark are taken from books by Indigenous authors, and hint at the richness that awaits us when we accept the invitation to “Discover more about Indigenous cultures, history, and literature.”
You will see a display of these books as soon as you step inside the door of the Rideau branch. This display and the one in the children’s section certainly support the OPL’s mandate “To inspire learning, spark curiosity and connect people”. The book, music and film collections by Indigenous authors and artists reflect the OPL’s mandate
To encourage understanding and appreciation of Indigenous Peoples’ languages, experiences and cultures … [and] [s]pecific attention is paid to the Algonquin Anishinaabe First Nations on whose unceded land the Library is located, as well as the diverse urban Indigenous community of First Nations, Inuit and Métis people who call Ottawa home.
Frequently changed displays reflect what is happening in our community and help people become aware of the depth of the branch’s collection. There is something for every age group. People can find books for children about residential schools and their impact on First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Lowertown resident Cindy Blackstock has written one such book, Spirit Bear: Honouring Memories, Planting Dreams.
The OPL provides books written in Cree, Inuktitut and Ojibway. Such books are not available at the Rideau branch, but the helpful staff will happily bring them in from other branches.
The staff’s commitment to promoting Indigenous voices and breaking down barriers is evident in all their programming, hosting residential-school survivors, authors, musicians and artists not just in the library but in the wider community through events held for all age groups in schools and at after-school clubs, service providers and community centres.
Such programming has not ended with COVID but is alive and well online at BiblioOttawaLibrary.ca/indigenous. It is a testament to the staff’s determination to see how creative they have been in offering online book clubs, discussion groups, blogs and musical performances.
It is hard to choose just one book, but staff picks at the branch include: Outside Circle by Patti LaBoucane-Benson, a graphic novel for adults; Last Leaf First Snowflake to Fall by Leo Yerxa, a special picture book for everyone; What’s My Superpower by Aviaq Johnston, a children’s book available in English, French and Inuktitut; and for teens, Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley. The multiple award-winning non-fiction book Seven Fallen Feathers by Tanya Talaga is also highly recommended.
Thank you to the staff at the Rideau Branch for helping us on the way to truth and reconciliation.