Release of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Subject Headings

November 13, 2023

Saskatchewan’s Multitype Library Board announced the release of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Subject Headings.

Launched in 2020, the goal of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Subject Headings (SK ISH) project was to work with Indigenous Peoples and groups in Saskatchewan to determine what terms are preferred and then translate those terms into subject headings to be used by all libraries in Saskatchewan, including public, post-secondary, school, and special libraries.

Release of the Saskatchewan Indigenous Subject Headings

The Saskatchewan Indigenous Subject Headings are now available online at https://mlb.libguides.com/SK_ISH .

The Saskatchewan Indigenous Subject Headings Project has the aim of modernizing terms in library catalogues related to Indigenous Peoples in Saskatchewan. This project is a response to the Canadian Federation of Library Associations-Fédération canadienne des associations de bibliothèques call to action 5 that “libraries should strive to decolonize access and classification” and is led by the Multitype Library Board for Saskatchewan libraries.

The website holds the spreadsheet of subject headings, a guide with tips for getting started in implementation and a pre-recorded webinar with more information about the project. There’s also a poster that explains more of the project’s background.

In the spreadsheet, you can expect to see some terms specific to Saskatchewan with recommendations for use and notes on why terms were changed. The suggested usage provides context for when it is appropriate to use the terms provided and gives a litle bit of information about how they should be applied. Terms provided in the spreadsheet only reflect the Saskatchewan context or terms considered particularly important by engagement participants. Because of the nature of some terms, further discussion will be required.

Once you’ve begun your implementation, please consider using the feedback form on the website to share your thoughts.

Thank you to the many Indigenous community members and library staff throughout the province who shared their expertise, insight and dedication in supporting the Saskatchewan Indigenous Subject Headings Project, as part of a shared journey toward Reconciliation. Also, thank you to the Outreach and Technical Advisory Groups, composed of Saskatchewan library sector staff, who have worked hard to plan for conversations and translate that shared learning into subject headings.

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To learn more, at the upcoming online panel presentation and question & answer session, join our panelists Holly Adamson, Catherine Hana and Amanda Irvine, as they share information on the technical side of the project.

To attend this webinar, please complete a brief registration form using the link below. If you are unable to attend but you would like to view a recording of the webinar, please register for the event.

Date: December 6, 2023 Time: 2 p.m.

Register for this event: https://mlb.libwizard.com/f/Sask_Indigenous_Subject_Headings_Webinar

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Please contact the Provincial Library and Literacy Office at IndigenousSubjectHeadings@gov.sk.ca if you want to know more.

(Via Saskatchewan Library Association)