#45. Find the Indigenous section at your local library.

Today, I took an hour just for me and writing. Since we have had kids, finding time to write and read have been replaced with diapers, potty training, snacks, song and lots of love and laughter. Good trade off in my books.

My resolution is to find the time to do both. Thus why I am at MacDonald Island where they have a drop in child minding centre and library. As I'm doing research on reconciliation efforts across Canada, I started with a search which brought me to one of my favourite places in the region - the Indigenous Corner at the Wood Buffalo Regional Library. As an Indigenous woman, I often feel out of place. At the Indigenous Corner, surrounded by the words of so many amazing Indigenous writers, poets and artists, it is hard not to feel connected. 

Having a public space that has the resources for me to do reconciliation work and be a good parent is a privilege. Spaces and places that encourage connection for Indigenous people is one step to the end goal of belonging. For so many years, belonging has been out of reach for Indigenous people due to the public policy and government segregation practices. Corners, like the one at the Wood Buffalo Regional Library, that hold the truths of what transpired from the perspectives of Indigenous people, and is welcoming in its genuine design and authentic in feeling is a good example of a reconciled space. 

My hope is to see more spaces and places become authentically reconciled so many others can take the time they need in a comfortable space to write/think/draw/paint/sing their truths.

Library book selections this week: Where the Pavement Ends by Marie Wadden, Unsettling the Settler Within by Paulette Regan and Residential Schools and Reconciliation by J.R. Miller.