Call to Action #69: We call upon Library and Archives Canada to… iii. Commit more resources to its public education materials and programming on residential schools.

NWPL continues to organize how we can respectively access First Nations knowledge keepers, cultural artisans and authors to help us highlight the lived lives, experiences and history of First Nations through our programming and services

NWPL’s work to date:

• 07-14-2023: Squamish Stories with Kung Jaadee Renowned storyteller, Kung Jaadee shared Squamish stories popularized by Indigenous activist and poet E. Pauline Johnson’s book, “Legends of Vancouver.” Drop in. Kung Jaadee (Roberta Kennedy) is a professional storyteller, educator and published author belonging to the Xaayda (Haida) xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) First Nations. Her Haida name, Kung Jaadee, means ‘Moon Woman’ and was presented to her at her great uncle’s memorial feast by her cousin Crystal Robinson.

• 11-15-2022: Author Talk with Bruce McIvor Dr. Bruce McIvor discussee his book, Standoff: How Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It. In this series of concise and thoughtful essays,  Bruce explains why reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is failing and what needs to be done to fix it. Dr. Bruce McIvor, lawyer and historian, is a partner at First Peoples Law LLP, a law firm dedicated to defending and advancing Indigenous Peoples’ inherent and constitutionally protected title, rights and treaty rights. His work includes both litigation and negotiation on behalf of Indigenous Peoples. Bruce is recognized nationally and internationally as a leading practitioner of Aboriginal law in Canada.
• 06-16-2022: Author Talk with Lynda Gray Author Lynda Gray spoke about her new book, the 2nd edition of First Nations 101.  Areas covered included: A broad overview of how the shared history between Indigenous people and non-Indigenous people plays out today; How to be a great ally; and What is reconciliation? Lynda Gray is a member of the Gisbutwada/Killerwhale Clan of the Ts’msyen Nation on the Northwest Coast of BC. Although she is from Lax Kw’alaams and was born in Prince Rupert, she spent most of her life in East Vancouver until she bought a home in Prince Rupert in 2013 so that she and her children could return home more often to (re)connect to their Nation, family, land, and culture. Lynda is the proud mother of two adult children: Northwest Coast artist Phil Gray and professor Dr. Robin Gray. She and her children have learned much about their Ts’msyen culture and community from their participation in the Vancouver-based Lax Xeen Ts’msyen Dance Group, from attending traditional feasts in their home community of Lax Kw’alaams, and from active learning of their ancestral language, Sm’algya̱x. Lynda’s work is grounded in a strong belief in community development, youth empowerment, and culture as therapy. She has a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from UBC, served as the Executive Director of the Urban Native Youth Association for 8 years, and serves on community Boards including the Indigenous Cultural Safety Advisory Circle.

• 2021: Indigenous Film Series NWPL has collaborated with the New Westminster Museum and Archives in hosting an Indigenous Film Series which included films by Indigenous film makers, viewings and discussions with Indigenous creators