Multitype Library Board
Saskatchewan Indigenous Subject Headings
SERP
Library Resources

Saskatchewan Indigenous Subject Headings: Indigenous Subject Headings Project

Saskatchewan Indigenous Subject Headings

Overview

The goal of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Subject Headings (SK ISH) project has been to work with Indigenous Peoples and groups in Saskatchewan to determine what terms are preferred. These terms have been translated into subject headings for use by libraries across Saskatchewan. The terminology was developed through two rounds of engagement sessions with:

Indigenous Peoples who represented the Indigenous languages, cultures and geographic areas in Saskatchewan, and
input from kêhtê-ayak, Knowledge Keepers, and Old Ones.

Numerous library professionals contributed to the work.

The Saskatchewan Indigenous Subject Headings are now available for use in libraries in Saskatchewan.

Project History

Starting in early 2020, a working group of Saskatchewan library staff, under the leadership of the Multitype Library Board, began to examine how subject headings related to Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan could be updated to be more inclusive and respectful.
This working group believed that engagement with Indigenous people was vital to inform, support and facilitate the development of appropriate subject headings, within a Saskatchewan context.
Saskatchewan Indigenous library staff formed an outreach group to guide the planning of engagement sessions.
Facilitators were contracted to lead engagement sessions in a safe and respectful manner. Elders, kêhtê-ayak, Old Ones, and many other members of Saskatchewan Indigenous communities shared their thoughts and experiences in two rounds of engagement sessions.
A technical group of library sector partners translated what was heard during engagement into subject headings. These subject headings were vetted during the second round of engagements.
We thank the many people who have shared their knowledge and expertise with the project.

LEARNING FROM INDIGENOUS VOICES Designing an Indigenous Subject Headings Project
This document was featured as a poster session at the Saskatchewan Libraries 2023 conference, and has been updated to include further work in 2023. It provides information on the process of the Indigenous Subject Headings Project, key learnings, and project team members.