2021 Dalhousie-Horrocks National Leadership Lecture
Date
February 25, 2021 17:30 - 19:00
Location
Online
Details
Reflections of a First Nations librarian from the 1970’s to the present
Lecture Details
Thursday, February 25, 2021
5:30 pm (Atlantic) | 4:30 pm (Eastern) | 1:30 pm (Pacific)
Abstract: Reflections of a First Nations librarian from the 1970’s to the present. In this nearly fifty year period Dr. Gene Joseph (Hon.) has implemented a number of seminal approaches to library and archives services for First Nations communities. Her primary work has centred upon research and litigation support for Aboriginal Title and Rights. While advocating for establishment and improvement of library services to First Nations she has worked with many non-Indigenous librarians on a number of initiatives which have improved library services and increased the number of Indigenous librarians. As Gene says “A number of improvements, changes and then again not much movement on some very important areas of our profession.” There is still a lot of work needed!
Bio: Dr. Gene Anne Joseph (Hon.) is of Wet’suwet’en and Nadleh Whut’en ancestry and was the first Indigenous Librarian in British Columbia to receive her Masters of Library Science Degree (1982). As a professional librarian she has specialized in First Nations Aboriginal Title and Rights litigation; as well as in establishing First Nations libraries and archival collections.
Gene’s seminal work on the court case – Delgamuukw v. British Columbia (1997) contributed to substantial improvements in the recognition of Aboriginal Rights and Title in British Columbia and Canada. Gene was the founding librarian of the Xwi7xwa Library at the University of British Columbia, the only post secondary institution in Canada with an Indigenous library.
In 1996, The University of British Columbia School of Library, Archival and Information Studies recognized Gene’s work with a Distinguished Alumni award for “outstanding contributions to Library and Information Services in Canada.” In 2015, Gene retired from White Raven Law where she worked for many years as a senior research and litigation support advisor on Haida aboriginal title. In 2018, Gene was honoured by the Vancouver Island University with an Honorary Doctor of Law. Ms. Joseph’s leadership and innovation continues to provide a foundation for future generations of First Nations librarians, libraries, archives and cultural centres.
