Truth and Reconciliation at VPL

Vancouver Public Library (VPL) recognizes our responsibility to respond to the calls of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada and honour Indigenous rights as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) . This strategy is intended to align with and support the UNDRIP implementation strategies at both the City of Vancouver and Province of British Columbia, while also continuing to address the Calls to Action of the TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada) and Calls to Justice of the Inquiry into MMIWG (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls) [ Final Report and Supplementary Report ] and the Red Women Rising Report . 

Vancouver Public Library's Rights and Reconciliation Strategy is based on 4 major themes identified in the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (DRIPA), a law passed by the Province of British Columbia in January 2019.

1. Social, Cultural and Economic Well-being
2. Ending Indigenous-Specific Racism and Discrimination
3. Self-Determination and Inherent Right of Self-Government
4. Rights and title of Indigenous Peoples

The xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations joined the City of Vancouver to form an UNDRIP task force. Vancouver Public Library participated in the process, and will be aligning our strategy with six foundational Calls to Action identified during the process.

1. Identify and implement options for new rights-based governance models and decision-making processes with Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh, with UNDRIP as the framework.
2. Provide ongoing capacity funding for Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh to help facilitate relationship-building, and their role in decision-making and the implementation of UNDRIP into City policies, procedures, and operations.
3. Develop stronger intergovernmental coordination and communication processes and explore opportunities to develop, renew, expand, or strengthen relationship protocol agreements, MOU/As (Memorandums of Understanding/Agreement), and protocol agreements with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations which involve clarification of jurisdiction.
4. Establish a process for the City to look for embedded colonialism within its systems, and re-shape its own internal policies, procedures and by-laws in ways which recognize and respect the laws and governance of Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, and align with UNDRIP to create systemic change.
5. Review local government legislation (e.g., Vancouver Charter), as well as federal and provincial legislation to understand what changes are needed to implement UNDRIP and this report’s Calls to Action. Work with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, and the diverse Indigenous populations living in the city to advocate for the Province and Federal government to make these changes.
6. In consultation with Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh, develop processes to continue to build relationships with the diverse Indigenous populations living in the city and support their rights as Indigenous persons. Include capacity funding for this community-engaged work.

Education for Reconciliation
TRC Recommendation #62: We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, in consultation and collaboration with Survivors, Aboriginal peoples, and educators, to: Make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal people’s historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade Twelve students.

Museums and Archives
TRC Recommendation #69: We call upon Library and Archives Canada to:

• Ensure that its record holdings related to residential schools are accessible to the public.
• Commit more resources to its public education materials and programming on residential schools.

Our Actions:

• All VPL branches feature Indigenous collections based on consultation with community organizations in Vancouver.
• These collections for all ages highlight, acknowledge and honor the unique cultures, experiences and interests of Indigenous communities and include titles that reflect the impact of residential schools and the theme of reconciliation.

Professional Development and Training for Public Servants
TRC Recommendation #57: We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.

Education for Reconciliation
TRC Recommendation #62: We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments, in consultation and collaboration with Survivors, Aboriginal peoples, and educators, to: Make age-appropriate curriculum on residential schools, Treaties, and Aboriginal people’s historical and contemporary contributions to Canada a mandatory education requirement for Kindergarten to Grade Twelve students.

Museums and Archives
TRC Recommendation #69: We call upon Library and Archives Canada to:

• Ensure that its record holdings related to residential schools are accessible to the public.
• Commit more resources to its public education materials and programming on residential schools.

Our Actions:

• VPL continues to offer the Indigenous Storyteller in Residence program as well as many other events and programs highlighting Indigenous culture and opportunities to learn, discuss, and move forward reconciliation.
• VPL maintains resource guides for information on residential schools and themes of reconciliation:
  • Indigenous Peoples of Canada
  • Residential Schools
  • Missing and Murdered Women of the Downtown Eastside
  • Indigenous Community Resources
• VPL staff participates in training on the history and impacts of residential schools and colonization, as well as other cultural and human rights training.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission called for the recognition of Indigenous languages as a fundamental and valued part of Canadian culture and society. VPL is undertaking activities aligned with this call, and with recommendation #6 of the Truth and Reconciliation Report and Recommendations from the Canadian Federation of Library Associations (CFLA-FCAB).

Our Actions:

• In April 2017, VPL opened the first major civic building in Vancouver to have an Indigenous name: the nə́c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona Branch at 730 East Hastings St.
• nə́c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona encompasses the idea of ‘we are one’ in the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓ (Musqueam) language. This name recognizes and honours the Coast Salish peoples and their traditional unceded territories, while also reflecting the neighbourhood’s historic city name, Strathcona.
• Local First Nations were consulted on the branch name in relation to suggested First Nations names and the use of specific Coast Salish languages.
• Learn how to pronounce nə́c̓aʔmat ct on the branch webpage.
• VPL acknowledges that our work takes place on the unceded homelands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations. Acknowledgement of this will be made by staff at meetings, programs, and events. Visual acknowledgement can be seen at our branches, on our website, and also in staff email signatures.

• Report to VPL Board on VPL Indigenous Rights and Reconciliation Strategy, November 2022: Download
• Report to VPL Board on 2019-2020 Actions to Address the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Recommendations, March 2021: Download
• Report to VPL Board on VPL 2020 Initiative 5.4 Truth & Reconciliation, December 2018: Download
• Report to VPL Board on VPL 2020 Initiative 5.4 Truth & Reconciliation, December 2017: Download
• Report to VPL Board on CFLA/FCAB Truth & Reconciliation Recommendations, July 2017: Download
• Report to VPL Board on Activities Responding to Truth and Reconciliation in 2016, November 2016: Download
• Report to VPL Board on Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, January 2016: Download