The Milton Public Library (MPL) is looking to be a part of Reconciliation.
In a press release on Monday, December 19th, the MPL says that it is adopting 12 Calls to Action from the “A Journey to ReconciliAction” report released by the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic.
The “A Journey to ReconciliAction” report interprets recommendations within the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC) that can be undertaken by organisations at a local level, which is where the MPL comes in. The recommendations provide a thoughtful path to support the decolonisation process and be actions for change within the community.
“I am delighted to be able to share that once again, Milton Public Library continues to lead the community in efforts to decolonise our places and spaces including within our own policies, procedures, programmes and people,” states Milton Public Library CEO and Chief Librarian Mark Williams. “As such, MPL is pleased to announce the adoption of the 12 Calls to Action outlined in the “A Journey to ReconciliAction” report to continue to inspire positive community change towards Indigenisation. These 12 Calls to Action are just the first in many steps that MPL will take to build lasting reconciliation, healing, and cooperative relations with the Indigenous communities of Milton.”
A hive relationship between Grandmother’s Voice and MPL has developed into a connection with NaWalka Geeshy Meegwun (Lyndon George — Anishnaabe Ojokwe) of Hamilton Community Legal Clinic. Recently, Lyndon facilitated an intimate workshop at Milton’s Main Library focused on land acknowledgment, where participants experienced a smudge ceremony and were challenged with the Calls to Action from the TRC report.
“It is encouraging to see Milton Public Library moving forward with implementing some of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report in the work that it does,” says George. “This is a strong movement forward and I am pleased the Milton Public Library also acknowledges that there is still much more work to do and has committed to walking this new journey.”
With the support of Lyndon George and Grandmother’s Voice, MPL has been able to identify these first 12 Calls to Action in which the Library can move forward on these recommendations contained within the TRC.
The first 12 Calls to Action for MPL are:
- Adopt the TRC and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as its reconciliation framework
- Provide written public materials in Indigenous languages
- Update phone system to include Indigenous language learning snippets while on hold
- Support Indigenous patrons and staff to identify themselves in their traditional name
- Ensure training on Indigeneity for all staff and Board members
- Advertise job postings through Indigenous networks, spaces, and organizations (HR)
- Encourage Indigenous applicants to apply in all job postings (HR)
- Create flexible interview process focused on assessing Indigenous person’s qualifications in a culturally competent manner (HR)
- Review Collective Agreement and Policy to ensure they reflect Indigenous family structure, cultural practice, connection to land, community, culture, and self (HR)
- Ensure full acceptance of sick notes from traditional healers (HR)
- Ensure flexibility with regards to bereavement leave for Indigenous staff (HR)
- Recognize and support National Indigenous Peoples Day – June 21st
