Write to Read BC

Tag: remote

  • Libraries impact literacy, identity, decolonisation

    For Indigenous communities, the benefits of community libraries range from literacy, to community development, to decolonisation. These are findings from a pre-publication copy of a study that assesses Write to Read BC partnerships with isolated communities.

    The study assesses the effectiveness of indigenous-led libraries in isolated BC communities. Simon Fraser University’s Community-Engaged Research initiative (CERi) arranged the study to evaluate Write to Read BC’s ongoing libraries project. The research was conducted in 2025, and the report will be published in spring 2026.

    In the pre-publication copy, some findings of the academic literature review are:

    • A library has the most impact when it’s an integrated part of the community. This refers to more than a physical location that’s easy to visit; it’s about contributing to community identity. A community’s vision for itself needs to include a library.
      — From M Asselin and R Dorion, 2013.
    • Printed and digital material in Indigenous-led libraries needs to present indigenous culture as equal, not inferior, to Western culture. This is because libraries can alter the social status of Indigenous communities previously shaped by Western sovereignty. In effect, a library can help counter the dispossession of traditional lands and historical prohibitions on language and cultural practice.
      — From B Parkin, H Harper, I Wallace, and P Mickan, 2020.
    • Libraries are essential for diversity of culture and language. In isolated indigenous communities, libraries can counter the loss of knowledges and languages, including through online content. That’s because unequal in-home access to digital information makes online participation harder for some.
      — From B Parkin, H Harper, I Wallace, and P Mickan, 2020.
    • Libraries can step beyond traditional concepts of learning as passive, focused on rote methods and recitation. Indigenous storytelling can play a part in learning, including remotely or via recordings. Basically, a library can embrace inclusion.
      — From M Asselin and R Dorion, 2013, and from M Kovach, 2017.
    • Community libraries are often initially created to foster literacy. But they become a way to support community engagement, social exchange, and cultural resiliency.
      — From R Sarjeant-Jenkins and K Walker, 2015.

    Funding and sources

    The research described here was made possible with Simon Fraser University’s CERi funding. The researcher’s analysis included these sources:

    • Asselin, M., & Doiron, R. (2013). Linking Literacy and Libraries in Global Communities (1st ed.). Routledge.
    • Ball, J. (2004). As if Indigenous knowledge and communities mattered: Transformative education in First Nations communities in Canada. American Indian Quarterly, 454-479.
    • Burgess, M. A. (2017). Investigating the impact upon First Nations students on reserve, in relation to their elementary school experience (Doctoral dissertation, University of Northern British Columbia).
    • Froehlich Chow, A., Wahpepah, K., Humbert, M. L., Houser, N., Brussoni, M., Erlandson, M., … & Ali, F. (2025). Nature’s Way-Our Way: A Journey Through the Co-Creation and Sharing of an Indigenous Physical Literacy Enriched Early Years Initiative. Engaged Scholar Journal, 11(1), 18-35.
    • Kovach, M. (2017). Doing indigenous methodologies. The SAGE handbook of qualitative research, 383-406.
    • Helen Klieve, Bev Fluckiger. (2015). Towards an evidence base: Exploring the impact of community-based literacy programs in remote Indigenous communities. Australasian Journal of Early Childhood, 40(2), 89–98.
    • McMahon, R., McNally, M. B., Nitschke, E., Napier, K., Alvarez Malvido, M., & Akçayir, M. (2024). Codesigning community networking literacies with rural/remote Northern Indigenous communities in Northwest Territories, Canada. Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication, 29(1).
    • Morcom, L. (2014). Determining the role of language and culture in First Nations schools: A comparison of the First Nations Education Act with the policy of the Assembly of First Nations. Canadian Journal of Educational Administration and Policy, (163).
    Research on the impact of Indigenous-led libraries installed together with Write to Read BC in isolated BC communities.

  • Study: Libraries serve Indigenous children and adults alike

    The preview of an upcoming study reports adults in isolated, Indigenous communities use libraries as much or more than children. The study is assessing at the long-term impact of Indigenous-led libraries installed in partnership with Write to Read BC.

    This research was made possible with Simon Fraser University’s CERi funding. The study’s Indigenous researcher gathered data from isolated communities that installed an indigenous-led library with us. The research was conducted in 2025, and the report will be published in spring 2026.

    School libraries

    Many communities installed a library connected to their local school. Obviously, these spaces get significant use by children.

    However, adults also want to use reading materials and programs about culture and language. That’s why some schools welcome adults, too. For example, Nisaika Kumtuks school in Nanaimo set specific hours for family members to use material in its library.

    Rather than in a school, many communities installed books and computers a separate community facility. Both children and adults can use these, but they are harder to fund, according to some study participants. “There is funding for libraries attached to schools, but not necessarily for community-specific libraries,” the study’s author reports.

    Nevertheless, over the past 15 years most libraries installed with Write to Read BC are community libraries.

    Community libraries

    In addition to support for reading—including reading about Indigenous cultures and languages—these spaces are also community-building hubs. This is one of the benefits that attracts community members. Often, libraries are a showcase of local culture and history. One participant mentioned plans to create a museum alongside the library.

    In addition to these adult-oriented activities, community libraries also help educate children. Since 20% of the youth living on reserves attend school online, community libraries often have a role in childhood education.

    Unfortunately, older libraries in the Write to Read BC program did not all include computers and high-speed Internet. Some participants told the researcher that “a designated space” for online learners would be “a helpful addition to their community.” This would benefit adults and children alike.

    Findings from the CERi study were first presented in October, 2025.

    Research on the impact of Indigenous-led libraries installed together with Write to Read BC in isolated BC communities.

  • Daylu Dena library books coming soon

    The co-leads of Write to Read BC plan to travel to Daylu Dena’s new library in early November 2025. They will deliver books and computers.

    The books will provide the indigenous focus that the community envisioned for its library.

    The computers and high-speed Internet connection will allow the library to offer remote access to online courses and conferences. Librarians typically refer to this as a learning centre.

  • T’exelcemc

    About the community

    The T’exelcemc, or people of Williams Lake First Nation, is in the central interior of BC, in the Cariboo region, at the city of Williams Lake. Its main Indian Reserve is Williams Lake Indian Reserve No. 1, also known as Sugarcane.

    About the library

    The library in Little Chiefs Elementary school, in T’exelcemc First Nation, Williams Lake, was installed in partnership with Write to Read BC. It is our 20th library.

  • Gitsegukla

    About the community

    Gitsegukla is is on the southeast side of the Skeena River adjacent to the Kitseguecla River mouth, in west-central BC’s Skeena region. This indigenous community is about 100 km northwest of Smithers and about 110 km northeast of Terrace.

    About the library

    Write to Read BC installed its 19th library here, in the Gitsegukla elementary school. Its sponsors included the Rotary Club of Terrace-Skeena Valley, the Rotary Club of Peachland, and the Jack Gin Family Foundation.

    Write to Read BC volunteers were challenged by this library. The need to avoid spreading COVID-19, the work took place, during a school holiday, when students were offsite. Out-of-town volunteers who brought shelving, furniture, books, and computer equipment did not socialise or stay with with community members.

    This library had a positive impact on the community.

    The entrance of Gitsegukla school and library.
    A literacy-focused addition to the community school.

  • Tsi-Deldel

    About the community

    The Tsi-Deldel or Tŝideldel First Nation is in the western Chilcotin district of the BC’s central Interior region. Its offices are located on Redstone Reserve. It includes smaller reserves around Redbrush and Puntzi Lake. It is sometimes referred to as the Alexis Creek Indian Band.

    Tsi-Deldel First Nation’s traditional way of life includes fishing, hunting, and plant gathering. Community members fish for salmon and trout, and gather berries and medicinal plants in the surrounding rivers, lakes, mountains and traditional areas. These practices have been a part of its way of life for generations and continue to be an essential part of its culture today.

    About the library

    Write to read BC installed its 18th library here. Its sponsors included the Rotary Club of the Sunshine Coast, and the Jack Gin Family Foundation.

  • Rocky Pines, Lower Nicola Indian Band

    About the community

    Lower Nicola Indian Band, is one of the interior Salish first peoples in the south-central interior of BC. Its community and offices are located at Shulus, also known as Lower Nicola, just west of Merritt, BC, between BC’s lower mainland and Kamloops.

    About the library

    Write to Read BC placed its 17th library in Rocky Pines, or Lower Nicola Indian Band. It was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Richmond Sunrise.

    Over 1,000 books on the shelves of Rocky Pines library.

  • Ahousaht

    About the community

    Ahousaht First Nation is a coastal community on Vancouver Island in BC. It includes much of Clayoquot Sound, and is the largest First Nation on the west coast of Vancouver Island by population. It has 2,400 members.

    Ahousaht First Nation’s core values are to respect one another, teach one another, care for one another, and help one another​, and to know that everything is one—everything is interconnected. The community also publishes a dictionary of Ahousaht words.

    About the library

    Write to Read BC’s 15th library was installed here. Its sponsors included the Rotary Club of Vancouver Arbutus, and the Rotary Club of Steveston.

  • Quatsino

    About the community

    Quatsino is a west-coast village on Quatsino Sound in northern Vancouver Island, BC. It is accessible by boat and float plane. Quatsino is near Coal Harbour and Port Alice. The largest town in this region of BC is Port Hardy, an hour northeast by boat and motor vehicle.

    Quatsino residents are employed in the forest, fishing, and eco-tourism industries. Some professionals also live there and practice their professions via the internet.

    About the library

    Write to Read BC installed its 14th library here. The Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium was its sponsor.

  • Tsay Keh Dene

    About the community

    The Tsay Keh Dene First Nation is a Sekani band in the Omineca region of northern BC’s interior. Its territories, settlements, and reserves are around Williston, about 550 kilometres north of Prince George.

    The people of Tsay Keh Dene hunted, trapped, fished, gathered food and herbs, and traditionally lived on this territory in the Rocky Mountain Trench. Tsay Keh Dene means People of the Mountain.

    The community is vibrant, created through hard work and commitment to its values, beliefs, and principles. This includes striving for sustainable growth and improving quality of life of its members. It does this through sound governance and responsible growth.

    About the library

    In partnership with the community Write to Read BC installed its 13th library here. Its sponsors included Rotary Club of Prince George Yellowhead, and Britco (now Boxx Modular).