Moving forward in the spirit of information, education and healing, the Rimbey Municipal Library board, with the support of the Rimbey Library Booster Society, are financially supporting a year of truth and reconciliation programming at the library.
“In our plan of service, one of our main goals is embrace diversity and cultural awareness,” explained Jean Keetch, library manager. “The library will provide resources relevant to diversity and race, ethnicity, religion, gender and sexual orientation. In doing that, we will expand the library collection to include diverse authors and narratives; provide programming reflective of diversity, including visible minorities; and provide anti-oppression and anti-racism resources and programming.”
The plan of service was created in 2020.
“We’ve done some amazing stuff,” Keetch said of the programming so far.
In relation to Indigenous programming specifically, Keetch said she and a group from the library took the University of Alberta’s massive open online course, Indigenous Canada, a free 12-lesson course where students explore Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada. The library has hosted a program about the ‘60s Scoop, which included survivors coming out and talking to the audience about their experiences.
On Oct. 13, at 7 p.m., Alice Berger, a Metis woman from Drayton Valley, will be coming to the library to host Metis Tipi Teachings. On Nov. 19 at 2 p.m., Miranda Currie, an Indigenous children’s musician, storyteller, author, educator and filmmaker, will be coming to the library to sing and tell stories.
“I believe it’s important to get accurate information out there and for people to put a face to the stories,” said Keetch, when asked about why this programming is important for the community.
More events will be coming, as part of this programming initiative. Watch the library’s website and Facebook page for more information.