Welcome to Indigenous Initiatives at York University Libraries. Libraries are a space to create, share, and absorb information. Here at York University Libraries Cora Coady, the Indigenous Teaching and Learning Librarian, and the Indigenous Action Working Group strive to carry out work with three main goals: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Support Indigenous students and researchers <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Forefront Indigenous Knowledges<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Provide opportunities for professional development <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Past Events<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n\nNovember 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- York University Libraries hosted an I<\/a>ndigenous Student Art Show<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/span>\n\nExplore Indigenous history and culture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nJoin us as we read, listen, and engage in meaningful ways.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Complete 5 activities for a chance to win a prize pack.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nDownload the Handout<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.library.yorku.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/nihm-banner2-300x249.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\nExplore Indigenous history and culture<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nJoin us as we read, listen, and engage in meaningful ways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Complete 5 activities for a chance to win a prize pack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nDownload the Handout<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nSpace<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nMiinkaanensing: Indigenous Reading Room provides Indigenous students with a quiet place to engage in their studies and easy access to a curated collection of Indigenous resources. In place-making with Indigenous students, we are decolonizing one small section of the library and responding directly to student needs. The name Miinkaanensing means \u201cat the seed\u201d in Anishinaabemowin and was gifted to the room by Ninaatig Philip Staats Pangowish and is meant to represent the grown and potential that is present in both students and their studies as well as the libraries and Indigenous community members. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.library.yorku.ca\/web\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/image-6.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\nGuidelines for use of the Indigenous Students Reading Room<\/strong> <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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- Seven Grandfather Teachings Code of Conduct <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Honesty: Be responsible and honourable in your decision to use this space. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Respect: Respect the intention of the space, your peers, and the resources. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Wisdom: Use your experience and knowledge to help yourself and others grow. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Truth: Speak the truth in written and spoken word. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Bravery: Act with integrity. Speak up if you see others disrespecting the space or your peers. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Humility: Know yourself as a part of the York community. Use the space in cooperation with your peers. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Love: Your ability to love others will guide you to fulfill your responsibilities. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
The Indigenous Students Reading Room 202E can be booked by Indigenous students and entered with keycard access for those who are registered members of the Centre for Indigenous Student Services. Please use this link to book the space: LibCal page.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nResearch Guides<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWe have developed research guides that will guide students through the research process and provide them with a curated list of resources for completing their work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- First Nations, M\u00e9tis, and Inuit Research<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Indigenous Law and Aboriginal Law<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Education K\u201312: Indigenous Perspectives<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\nFeatured collections <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWe have created featured collections to highlight themes in Indigenous literature and culturally significant topics. These collections also coincide with physical book displays. Our book displays enhance the discoverability of Indigenous scholars and knowledges. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- Indigenous Veterans<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Indigenous History<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Indigenous Languages<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Truth and Reconciliation<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- MMIW<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Indigenous Science<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- In the Winter We Tell Stories<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- PowWow<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\nCataloguing<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nThe way knowledge is organized in libraries and library resources (catalogues, databases, dictionaries and thesauri) is a product of colonialism. Over the last few decades, policy-setting institutions like Library and Archives Canada and the Library of Congress in the United States have examined problematic and\/or harmful subject headings. The links below explore solutions and progress on this essential part of library organization. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- National Indigenous Knowledge & Language Alliance: Respectful Terminology Platform Project <\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- York University Libraries Statement on Problematic or Harmful Language in the Library Catalogue<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Canadian Research and Knowledge Network: Indigenous Subject Heading Project<\/a> <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
- York University Libraries Statement on Problematic or Harmful Language in the Library Catalogue<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Indigenous History<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Indigenous Law and Aboriginal Law<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- First Nations, M\u00e9tis, and Inuit Research<\/a> <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- York University Libraries hosted an I<\/a>ndigenous Student Art Show<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n