What is commonly known as Spring Gathering happens each May. First Nation Public Librarians gather together from all over the province to visit, learn new skills, network and learn about the host community. For the past several years the annual gathering has taken place at a First Nation that hosts a public library. This year, the Chippewas of Rama First Nation Public Library hosted the gathering. Our librarian host this year was Danielle Big Canoe Snake. She and her staff, along with the First Nation Consultants at OLS, Deanna Nebenionquit and Nancy Cooper, worked together to ensure the gathering was an interesting and thought-provoking one. Programming is based on the direction of the First Nation librarians with information that is gathered throughout the year.
Each year the gathering is renamed in the local dialect to reflect the time and purpose of the time together. This year Jessica Shonias provided the translation, Maawnjiding Mnookmig or ‘gathering in the spring’. Meegwech to Jessica.
The gathering started with a tour of the community. Participants were treated to visits to the Maawnjiydiwag Gtigaan farm, the pow wow grounds and the giant dreamcatcher, as well as a visit to the craft store for some shopping.
After a delicious catered lunch from the Mariposa Market in Orillia, the first afternoon was spent at Giwedin Ki retreat, learning from change makers in the community. Topics covered were food sovereignty, community wellness initiatives, genealogy research, land-based learning and the revitalization of the art of quill work. Many thanks to Ben Couisneau, Ben Benson, Dillon Bickell, Kailey LeDrew, and Theresa Copeland for sharing their passion and knowledge with the group.
That evening, after a wonderful local catered meal, the group was invited to watch a screening of “The Librarians” a multiple award winning documentary chronicling the struggles of librarians in Texas, faced with increasing right wing pressure to comply with book bans and wide-ranging censorship.
The second day of the gathering, the group met at the library which is located within the community centre and is linked directly to the elementary school and the arena. This year, our break sponsors were the Ontario Library Association and the Federation of Ontario Public Libraries. Training included sessions from OLS Consultant Alison Pilon who took participants through an interesting session about early literacy and library programming, and Linda Wright, from Solutions by Wright, who helped learners ‘Tell a Story with a Spreadsheet’ in the computer lab at the library.
During the last half day of the gathering we hosted an informal, in-person Tea and Chat, providing librarians and guests the opportunity to visit and network. The final presentation was offered by Victoria Leleary, Indigenous Engagement Advisor from Library and Archives Canada. Her session covered the ways Library and Archives Canada can help Indigenous people protect and take control of their data.
Maawnjiding Mnookmig was a great success and we want to thank everyone who helped make it so. Looking forward to next year!
