Need for youth in library careers

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The First Nations Interest Group (FNIG), a group affiliated with the British Columbia Library Association (BCLA), was formed in 1992 with the objective of improving library services to First Nations. It has attempted to do this by addressing the unique information needs and access challenges facing First Nation people.

Although the FNIG deals with funding and jurisdictional issues, many day-to-day barriers are being addressed through training and education. Gene Joseph, who is a member of the Wet'suwet'en Nation and one of only two First Nation librarians in the province, has worked closely with chairwoman Nancy Hannum since the FNIG was formed.

In the early days of the FNIG, Hannum, who has 25 years' experience with Legal Aid, was often asked to work with bands on their law libraries. Joseph received many requests to assist with training and support.

"We realized that there was a great need for awareness," Hannum said. "The non-Native library world wasn't aware of the issues facing First Nations."

"There is a need to open up mainstream libraries to First Nations by providing more services aimed specifically toward First Nations, and also to make First Nations people more aware of what services libraries can provide for them," Joseph said.

While the general public often uses the library for entertainment, it has a fundamental value in education and job development.

"Self-education and learning is life-long," Gene Joseph said. "There is a lot of history available for people, as well as access to other library sources and the Internet."

The FNIG is encouraging mainstream libraries to reach out to First Nations with practical suggestions, such as contacting Elders' groups for tours, employing First Nation staff, devoting sections to First Nation history, and involving the local community by featuring Native authors and storytellers.

On the other hand, the FNIG is trying also to encourage and educate First Nations to get involved and take advantage of the services provided at local libraries.

The group is additionally trying to establish First Nation libraries that deal with current legal issues such as land claims and self-government. Hannum said there are many partial libraries and small collections on individual reserves, but there is a great need for training and support so these can become operating libraries that will meet the needs of the people.

"We are trying to set up a curriculum at library tech schools, such as the University College of the Lower Fraser, that is directed to First Nations library issues, without the assumption that the participant has already been working in a large library," Hannum said.

Joseph pointed out that along with trained staff, small libraries on reserves need the full support and recognition of the local community to be successful.

"A library isn't a year-long project," she said. "It needs ongoing financial support to be a continuing and working institution."

The FNIG would like First Nations youth to be aware of the career opportunities that are available within the library sector.

"The Gene Joseph Scholarship was established in the 1980s," Hannum said. "The first recipient was Kim Lawson from Bella Bella, who is now the second First Nations librarian in B.C. and is currently working for the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs."

Joseph acknowledged that at present many First Nation youth automatically choose careers in law and education because they are aware of the need in these areas. When Joseph went to college it was with the goal of learning something that would be useful with land claims. She quickly realized that there were a lot of people doing research but no one organizing it so it could be used again. She went on to receive her master of library science degree. "My career has been interesting and satisfying," she said.

Speaking of her work with the chiefs, she added, "I have been involved with researching for the ultural and legal issues in the province during treaty negotiations such as the Council of Haida Nations' Aboriginal title and rights case. I have also researched the linguistics and history of First Nations."

Youth who are interested in working with First Nations information and making a contribution to their own community or to First Nations people in general are encouraged to examine the opportunities available within the research and archive field.

The FNIG continues its quest to negotiate and build bridges between libraries and First Nation people, creating awareness of current needs and opportunities. For more information about how your community can benefit by being involved with the FNIG check online www.bcla.bc.ca/fnig/ or call Nancy Hannum at (604)-601-6096.