University of Victoria: “New Library Podcast Creates Space for Indigenous Perspectives on Truth”
From the University of Victoria, Canada:
Canada’s genocide is getting harder to deny. So too is the growing recognition that human rights and the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples offer solutions to ending the endemic violence in Canada. From the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the introduction of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act in BC, human-rights-based solutions are starting to take greater shape in society.
There remains a long road ahead, and truth-telling efforts remain essential. Yet, if truth must come before reconciliation, why are Indigenous truths so often suppressed?
A new podcast series—Taapwaywin: Talking about what we know and what we believe—from the University of Victoria Libraries aims to give voice to Indigenous perspectives on this question, harnessing the power of podcasting as an important and vital way of sharing knowledge beyond the classroom, or the campus.
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The intersection of libraries and Indigenous knowledge
Deep listening is what Moran and Karina Greenwood, Taapwaywin’s producer and writer, hope people do when they tune in to the series. “As a settler nation, we have the responsibility to listen to Indigenous Peoples,” says Greenwood. “Elders, Knowledge Keepers and Survivors are giving us a gift in sharing their stories—it is a privilege to listen to them.”
Since Moran’s arrival at UVic Libraries, his work has been to recognize that Indigenous knowledge comes from many sources. Some is written down, but much of it can only be accessed through relationship, dialogue and listening.
The learning ahead
As creator, host and composer, Moran’s goal for this multi-year series is for the podcast to meaningfully contribute to the dialogue underway on some of the complex topics enmeshed within the work of truth and reconciliation. By amplifying the voices, ideas and efforts of leading thinkers and Knowledge Keepers on these topics, the podcast aims to help bring important perspectives to listeners across the world.
Filed under: Academic Libraries, Libraries, News, Podcasts
About Gary Price
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area. He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.