Journal of Library and Information Studies 13:2 (December 2015) p.107-134 doi:10.6182/jlis.2015.13(2).107 Indigenization of Knowledge Organization at the Xwi7xwa Library Ann M. Doyle1, Kimberley Lawson2, Sarah Dupont3 Abstract This paper examines the Indigenization of knowledge organization within library and information studies through conceptual analysis and a descriptive case study of an Aboriginal academic library, the Xwi7xwa Library at the University of British Columbia, Canada. We begin by locating the library in place and time, review its historical development in the context of Indigenous education in Canada and describe the evolution of its unique Indigenous classification scheme and related Indigenous subject headings. This place-based analysis leads to a particular articulation of Indigenization and a conceptual framework for Indigenization of knowledge organization at the Xwi7xwa Library, which guide the practice of knowledge organization design and modes of mobilization at this particular Aboriginal library. The conceptual framework rests on two basic assumptions: firstly, that collection development is curatorial in nature and is the seminal step in library knowledge organization, and, secondly, that the Indigenized knowledge organization system is critical to effective Indigenous information and instructional services, programming and research at the Library. The final section presents future possibilities for the Indigenization of knowledge organization through convergences and collaborations with emerging networks of Indigenous scholars and Indigenous communities of knowledge within the context of new technologies. Keywords: Indigenous Knowledge Organization; Canadian First Nations Libraries; Cataloguing; Aboriginal Classification Systems; Aboriginal Subject Headings 1. Introduction interrelationship between theory and practice: we learn from our daily professional activities The Indigenization of knowledge organization that in turn inform theoretical frameworks, within library and information studies is an including concepts, that are then tested in practice emergent field that is part of a larger global through an interactive cycle (cf. Ranganathan, Indigenous cultural renaissance and burgeoning 1967) of applied research. We begin by locating Indigenous scholarship (cf. Callison, 2014; the Library in place and time, and provide an Carter, 2002; Doyle & Metoyer, 2015; Lawson, account of its historical emergence within the 2004, 2014; Moorcroft, 1993; Russell, 2005; context of Indigenous education in Canada Yeh, 1971). In this paper we examine the including its associated Indigenous knowledge Indigenization of knowledge organization through organization systems (KOSs). This place-based conceptual analysis and a descriptive case study analysis, conjoined with a conceptualization of of the Xwi7xwa Library, the Aboriginal library Indigenization leads to a provisional theoretical at the University of British Columbia, Canada. framework for knowledge organization that guides The blended method reflects the dynamic 1,2,3 Xwi7xwa Library, University of British Columbia, Canada * Corresponding Author: Ann M. Doyle, E-mail: [email protected] 107 Journal of Library and Information Studies 13:2 (December 2015) the current practice of knowledge organization and who identify with a distinct Métis culture. design and modes of mobilization at this particular Indigenous is used both in local and global Aboriginal library. The framework gives rise to contexts to refer generically to tribal peoples our conceptualization of “knowledge organization and includes Aboriginal people (Canada. Royal in action” (based on Archibald, 2008) as we Commission on Aboriginal Peoples, Erasmus, & argue that Indigenous classification and metadata Dussault 1996, pp. xiv-xv). The term wholism are fundamental to Indigenous user-centred denotes Indigenous understandings of the information and instruction services, including interconnectedness of everything in the universe teaching, learning and research. as an epistemic and a spiritual principle (Pidgeon, The final section presents future possibilities 2008). This spelling is used to distinguish it from for Indigenized knowledge organization at the the Western philosophical concept of holism. Xwi7xwa Library through convergences and collaborations with emerging technologies and 1.2 Location networks of Indigenous scholars and Indigenous The University of British Columbia (UBC) communities of knowledge. The paper concludes is located on traditional and unceded territories that knowledge organization and its practices do of the Coast Salish nations of the Musqueam, not constitute an isolated endeavor that takes place Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh in the city of in the back rooms of a technical services area or as Vancouver, British Columbia (BC) Canada. BC decontextualized theoretical research. Rather, we is home to approximately 203 First Nations, 34 argue that knowledge organization is fundamental First Nations languages and 59 dialects (First to the Xwi7xwa Library’s key services and Peoples’ Cultural Council, 2015) that generate a programming, and is deeply embedded in high degree of Indigenous cultural and linguistic organizational, political, and social contexts of a diversity, and plurality of Indigenous histories, particular time and place, and within the global experiences, epistemologies, governance structures relations of those dimensions; its possibilities and knowledge systems. The UBC Library is one enabled or constrained within those contexts. of the largest academic libraries in Canada with 14 branches and divisions, two campuses and a 1.1 Terminology large multipurpose teaching and learning facility. Terminology in Indigenous contexts is varied The Xwi7xwa Library is the Aboriginal branch of and often contentious. We use the term First the UBC Library and the only Aboriginal branch Nations to refer to Indigenous sovereign nations in of a university library system in Canada. Chief Canada and individuals who identify as members. Simon Baker of the Squamish Nation named the Aboriginal is used as an inclusive category for library Xwi7xwa (pronounced whei-wha) meaning all Indigenous people in Canada, including First echo in the Squamish language. True to its name, Nations, Inuit, and Métis people. Métis people are the mandate of the Library is to echo the voices distinct Aboriginal peoples whose early ancestors and philosophies of Indigenous people through its were of mixed Aboriginal and European heritage collection, services, spaces and programming. 108 Indigenization of Knowledge Organization at the Xwi7xwa Library The Xwi7xwa Library collection is comprised assimilationist government policies and the Indian almost exclusively of Indigenous materials residential school system in Canada. An early consisting of approximately 15,000 items in digital national survey on First Nations public education and traditional formats including monographs, reported that only four percent of registered media, grey literature, serials, dissertations, Indian students completed grade 12 compared to maps, posters, realia, special collections and 88 percent for non-Indian students in 1962-1963 archival materials. Its catalogue is fully integrated (Hawthorn, 1967). In response, the National Indian with the UBC Library catalogue and supports Brotherhood (now the Assembly of First Nations) its information services that are dedicated to prepared a national policy statement asserting interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary aspects Indigenous jurisdiction over the education of First of Indigenous studies for a diverse academic Nations children, Indian Control of Indian Education and community audience of Aboriginal patrons, (National Indian Brotherhood, 1972). It was ratified the wider campus community and the general by the Canadian government a year later and public. The unique building architecture reflects a remains a blueprint for local control in contemporary traditional Salish circular pit house form and is a Indigenous education policy frameworks. clear statement of Indigenous presence on campus It was within this national and regional and the sophistication of Indigenous design context that BCNITA, in cooperation with UBC, (Kirkness, Archibald, & University of British established the Native Indian Teacher Education Columbia First Nations House of Learning, 2001). Program (NITEP) (Note 1) in 1974 in order to get In May 2013 we celebrated the 20th First Nations teachers into the classroom (Grant, anniversary of the Xwi7xwa Library. The 1995). The associated NITEP Resource Centre windows were ribboned with the names of almost collection, inherited from the IERC, continued 800 individuals and organizations who have to grow as the educators scoured North America sustained the library with gifts of library materials to acquire appropriate curriculum materials for and other resources. However, Xwi7xwa is both First Nations learners and classrooms. In May older and younger than 20 years! It began with the 1993, NITEP donated the collection to the new Indian Education Resource Centre (IERC) (1970- First Nations library that opened as part of the 1977) which was both a resource centre for Native First Nations House of Learning (FNHL) facility education and a lobby group for Indian education composed of a longhouse and a library located in BC and across Canada (cf. Wodarczak, 2010). in a separate building. Although forty years have It housed the small research collection of the passed since the founding of NITEP,