A message from ULC Board Chair Pilar Martinez, Chief Executive Officer, Edmonton Public Library

As we approach Canada's National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Monday, September 30, I want to reflect on the critical role that public libraries play in acknowledging the truths of Indigenous peoples and supporting the ongoing journey toward reconciliation. As the CEO of Edmonton Public Library, I've witnessed firsthand the impact that libraries can have in promoting awareness and reflection while supporting their communities around this important day.

For our American colleagues, I'd like to provide some context. In Canada, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation is a day dedicated to reflection and remembrance of the Indigenous children who never returned home as well as Survivors, their families and communities. Indigenous children were forcibly removed from their families and placed in residential schools, where they suffered physical and emotional abuse and were forced to abandon their languages and cultures. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, established in 2008, documented survivors’ experiences and issued 94 Calls to Action to redress the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation. Canadian libraries have played an active role in the reconciliation process by hosting programs that highlight and honour Indigenous topics and by creating inclusive spaces for Indigenous communities to share their stories, preserve their cultures, and access resources and services.

As public libraries, we are uniquely positions to support observance of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and to facilitate meaningful activities in its commemoration. We can achieve this by offering resources that highlight the stories of Indigenous peoples, hosting events and programs that promote reconciliation and healing, and creating inclusive spaces for Indigenous communities to gather and share their experiences. Additionally, we can use the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action as a framework for our efforts, integrating them into our strategic plans and programming.

As we advance on this journey of reconciliation, I urge all libraries to contemplate their role in recognizing the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This could include collaborating with local Indigenous organizations and communities, creating culturally sensitive programs, promoting collections by Indigenous creators, and providing learning opportunities for staff on Indigenous history, culture, knowledge and reconciliation. Through our collective efforts, we can build a more inclusive and equitable society and ensure that the stories and experiences of Indigenous peoples are honoured and celebrated for generations to come.