Bringing an Indigenous approach to knowledge
Hiring of UVic librarian part of effort to see world from a First Nations viewpoint
The University of Victoria is working to integrate Indigenous approaches to knowledge with the hiring of a librarian whose focus will be reconciliation.
Ry Moran, currently the director of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation in Winnipeg, will take on a newly created role in the fall as a reconciliation librarian in what UVic says is the first of its kind at a Canadian university.
Moran, a member of the Red River Métis, is returning to the university after graduating in 2002 with an undergraduate degree in history and political science. He has spent more than a decade working in reconciliation gathering residential school survivor statements for Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and creating a national archive of millions of records gathered for the commission.
Much like his previous work, Moran said his goal is to pull together materials that will contribute to tangible change in a society that has historically tried to destroy Indigenous culture, language and people.
“We’re trying to unlearn a bunch of very unhealthy patterns and in so doing, we’re looking for bringing in that other knowledge that we’ve turned our back on for so long,” he said.
He imagines the role will include work with faculties and organizations on campus to promote reconciliation within departments, courses and student groups.
The appointment of Moran and creation of the new role is part of an effort by the university to foster an understanding of the importance of Indigenous knowledge and memory in reconciliation efforts, said senior librarian Jonathan Bengtson.
The university’s strategic framework also focuses on increasing opportunities for Indigenous students and strengthening relationships with Indigenous communities, and the new role is a reflection of the university’s evolution in recognizing marginalized voices, he said. “The way that we structure knowledge, the way that we catalogue books, the way that we provide access to knowledge is one that that has winners and losers.”
In addition to bringing in new materials and new sources of knowledge, the library is looking to change the way library materials are described and organized.
Bengtson said that could include reexamining descriptions to remove language that’s no longer appropriate and finding new ways to catalogue items that make it easier to find materials related to Indigenous knowledge, culture and history.
Bengtson said the library also hopes to build on their existing work to digitize and preserve tape recordings of Indigenous language.
UVic president Jamie Cassels said Moran will be instrumental in furthering reconciliation within the institution.
“His work will foster mutual understanding and will greatly contribute to our university’s goal of advancing respect and reconciliation,” Cassels said in a statement.