Signing ceremony to take place October 30 at Wanuskewin Heritage Park, opening the Multitype Library Board Community Meeting.
Additional information to be added
The Saskatchewan Committee on Indigenous Library Services (SCILS) is leading the implementation of a Strategic Alliance between Saskatchewan Public Libraries and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner to share an understanding of the Treaty relationship with patrons, staff, boards and trustees.
The OTC partners with organizations across Saskatchewan in memorandums of understanding, or strategic alliances, in order to advance Treaty awareness and education. The public library system will be joining provincial efforts by providing this education to public library patrons, boards, trustees, and staff.
Existing Strategic Alliances and partnerships include, but are not limited to: University of Saskatchewan, CTV news, RCMP, Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Assembly of First Nations, etc.
Most recently the OTC hosted a signing ceremony with the Federation of Saskatchewan Indigenous Nations (FSIN), Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC), and Saskatchewan School Boards Association (SSBA).
The OTC will provide sessions, workshops, and discussions free of charge over the course of the Treaty Commissioner’s term. These events can run from 1 hour to 3 days and can be tailored to different needs and audiences.
Saskatchewan Public Libraries will provide the space, audience, and promotion of the sessions.
SCILS will plan the signing ceremony, oversee the activities outlined the draft implementation plan, develop and administer program evaluation, and collect statistics.
In 2007, the Ministry of Education mandated Saskatchewan schools to incorporate Treaty education in all kindergarten to Grade 12 classrooms. The Saskatchewan public library system would be joining provincial efforts to provide an understanding of how Treaty knowledge is important for students to better appreciate the province’s past and present. Learning about Treaties promotes cultural appreciation and understanding through teachings that respect and honour First Nations.
Strategic Alliance Text:
Whereas – the Office of the Treaty Commissioner strives to build a province in which the people of Saskatchewan understand their shared heritage in the Treaty relationship, creating the foundation for a harmonious and respectful future relationship between First Nations and all residents of the province;
Whereas – the Saskatchewan Provincial Public Library System strives to support all residents of the province in their educational, recreational and cultural lives;
Whereas – the Saskatchewan Committee on Indigenous Library Services (SCILS) strives to improve library services for First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in the province, working to promote and share sound practices in Indigenous Library Services and to develop province-wide practices to address the barriers faced by First Nation, Métis and Inuit people accessing Saskatchewan public libraries;
Whereas – the Saskatchewan Provincial Public Library System and SCILS recognize the benefit of the neutrality of the Office of the Treaty Commissioner;
Whereas – the Office of the Treaty Commissioner recognizes the value and supports the efforts of the Saskatchewan Provincial Public Library System and SCILS to provide culturally responsive programs, resources and services and to create a positive environment which enhances the Indigenous and Non-Indigenous patron experience;
Whereas – the Saskatchewan Provincial Public Library System and SCILS and the Office of the Treaty Commissioner:
Share |
the vision that all people of the province will live in harmony based on a sound knowledge and understanding of cultural traditions particularly as they relate to the Treaty relationship. |
Commit |
to communicate and promote Treaty education, Treaty rights and Treaty responsibilities among public library patrons, staff, trustees and boards. |
Act |
on the Treaty principles of honour and respect as we are All Treaty People. |
Therefore, these organizations agree to undertake and maintain a mutually beneficial strategic alliance.
“Reconciliation through Information”
The summary of the final report of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada was released on June 2, 2015, after years of hearings and testimony from thousands of residential school survivors and many others. The report includes 94 recommendations for change in policies, programs and the "way we talk to, and about, each other." The recommendations pertain not only to the different levels of government, but schools, societies, churches and aboriginal governments.
Reconciliation, the report says, is not a "one-time event," but is instead a "multi-generational journey that involves all Canadians" in schools and beyond.
There is a growing momentum of Reconciliation initiatives, with the Strategic Alliance Saskatchewan Public Libraries will be included in the efforts to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people by providing information on the histories, cultures and relationships with First Nations people.
The Saskatchewan Committee on Indigenous Library Services (SCILS) is a provincial working group of public library leaders that strive to improve library services for Indigenous residents of Saskatchewan. SCILS has representatives from the 11 library systems and the Provincial Library and Literacy Office.
The OTC was established in 1989, its office is in Saskatoon. Within the current mandate, the OTC advances the Treaty goal of establishing good relations among all people of Saskatchewan. The OTC works with First Nations, provincial school systems, and other educational institutions to raise the awareness and understanding of Treaties and First Nations people.
The Provincial Public Library System consists of 11 library systems that delivered library services through a network of local branches and member libraries.
The public library systems participating in this strategic alliance include:
Municipal Library Systems
John M. Cuelenaere Public Library, serving the City of Prince Albert
Regina Public Library, serving the City of Regina
Saskatoon Public Library, serving the City of Saskatoon
Regional Library Systems
Chinook Regional Library, serving Swift Current and area
Lakeland Library Region, serving North Battleford and area
Palliser Regional Library, serving Moose Jaw and area
Parkland Regional Library, serving Yorkton and area
Southeast Regional Library, serving Weyburn and area
Wapiti Regional Library, serving Prince Albert and area
Wheatland Library Region, serving Saskatoon and area
Federation of Northern Libraries
Pahkisimon Nuye?áh Library System, serving the Northern Administration District