Write to Read BC

Tag: reading

  • Round reading room, square learning centre

    A few years ago, Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George approached Write to Read BC about installing an on-site library. A successful site visit was arranged this year. After inspecting the space with Housing Society leaders, one Write to Read BC volunteer described it in one word: “Wow!” The space is perfect for an Aboriginal-led library.

    The building has a round reading room, “shaped like a tipi.” It’s lighting mimics the northern lights. The reading room’s location is excellent for the community. It is physically connected to a daycare centre and surrounded by Indigenous housing.

    The Housing Society also hopes to install a learning space in a second room. The visiting volunteer described this room as “a square box at the moment.” However, the space will make a good learning centre once it is appropriately furnished. Write to Read BC’s volunteer teams are experienced at partnering with communities to transform spaces such as this.

    Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George’s library plans were inspired by another Write to Read BC library collaboration, in Hazelton. For the potentially similar Prince George project, various people contributed their thoughts. Ideas ranged from floating shelves that can spotlight selected books to possible library programming by Prince George Literacy Association.

    In a post-visit discussion this month, Write to Read BC volunteers showed their readiness to engage. One experienced volunteer identified potentially costly logistics. Another intends to ask a Rotary Club to contribute funding. About $30,000 may be needed, depending on Aboriginal Housing Society of Prince George‘s vision for its library and learning centre.

  • Tl’esqox Library: ”Refresh” book list is half way

    In the Caribou-Chilcotin region, the Tl’esqox Library refresh is underway. This involves culling books from its shelves, and compiling a list of replacements. Already, the community selected about half the books for this list.

    Due to many recent births in the area, the library wants to include children’s books and materials on its list. This will support the community’s new Head Start program for children from infancy through 4 years of age.

    The community invited members of Write to Read BC’s library response team to visit Chilcotin (also called Riske Creek) to help with the Tl’esqox Library refresh. The goal is to complete the work by September.

    Part of the work is supported by a grant from the Four Pillars Society. This is a not-for-profit organization created to invest and distribute a $2.8-billion settlement fund from a class-action lawsuit.

    Photo of several one-story buildings, connected by a walkway and permanent awning. Several people are talking or walking in front of the small complex.
    Photo: The previously completed library, attached to a multi-generational centre. This centre included early learning, youth, and Elders programs, and a recording studio for language and culture revitalization. Now, the library is getting a refresh.

  • Human Rights book club inspires list of favourites

    The BC Human Rights Commissioner started a book club focused on human rights, and asked us to share this with our network.

    This inspired Write to Read BC volunteer Gordon Yusko to ask Indigenous publishers for their favourite books about human rights. Alison at GoodMinds.com—a Write to Read BC sponsor—suggested the following, for different types of readers.

    We’re passing along this list of favourites to all BC libraries.

    Goodminds.com is a book supplier with a passion for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit authorship and education. Through its SILT Foundation, it also funds and supplies books to libraries.

  • Four library projects for 2026-2027

    Write to Read BC volunteers are currently collaborating with four Indigenous organisations or First Nations. These First Nations are:

    • Daylu Dena in northern BC.
    • Aboriginal Housing Society in Prince George.
    • Tl’esqox (Toosey) library in Caribou-Chilcotin.
    • Nzen’man’ (Zenmin) Centre in Lytton.

    Together with community members, a variety of Write to Read BC volunteers will:

    • specify what library shelving to build for upcoming library projects.
    • coordinate book donations with supplier GoodMinds.com.
    • ship books to a volunteer in Whitehorse, relatively close to Daylu Dena library in northern BC.
    • complete the Daylu Dena library installation.
    • meet with Aboriginal Housing Society in Prince George to determine the library needs of multiple generations.
    • assess the available space and work on a design with Aboriginal Housing Society and stakeholders.
    • assess the space and shelves in the Tl’esqox library.
    • edit the Tl’esqox collection: cull books and develop a replacement book list.
    • firm up the 2027 Nzen’man’ project in Lytton.
    • check the type of fire-suppression—either water or foam—in the Nzen’man’ Centre, to frame the project scope.

  • 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.

  • Assessing the impact of Write to Read BC

    An independent researcher is evaluating the long-term impacts and community perspectives of the Write to Read BC Project, at its request. Working closely with Indigenous leaders, educators, and community members, this research “will culminate in an assessment report that will guide the re-framing and Indigenization of the Write to Read BC Project.”

    The assessment is provided by a program at Simon Fraser University that helps SFU graduate students collaborate with non-profit groups and community groups. The program supports research projects that provide plain-language answers to community-driven research questions at low or no cost to the community partner.

    The Write to Read BC study will focus on

    • Community collaboration and data collection.
    • Literature and media review.
    • Data analysis and reporting.

    The research takes place in 2025. Next, a prepublication will be available for review. Finally, the official report will be published in spring 2026.

    Community collaboration and data collection

    The study will:

    • collaborate with Indigenous leaders, educators, and community members to gather perspectives on the impact of active and inactive learning centres.
    • conduct interviews, facilitate protocol-guided information-sharing sessions, and ensure respectful, ethical data collection.
    • assist in developing “case stories” from selected communities, ensuring informed consent and cultural sensitivity.
    • document and organize qualitative data to inform the final project report and analysis.

    Literature and media review

    The study will:

    • conduct a literature review focusing on the intersections of Indigenous knowledge systems and colonial education practices.
    • review and summarize “grey literature” and media related to the Write to Read BC project, including speeches, audio/video recordings, and planning documents.
    • gather and analyse quantitative data on educational outcomes (such as Kindergarten to Grade 12 graduation rates, post-secondary enrolment) in communities with Write to Read BC centres.
    • identify gaps in the literature or data and recommend additional resources to address these gaps.

    Data analysis and reporting

    The study will:

    • analyse qualitative and quantitative data to understand changes in community engagement, cultural connectedness, language revitalization, and educational impacts associated with Write to Read BC learning centres.
    • assist in preparing interim reports, summaries, and visual presentations to share findings with project stakeholders.
    • draft a final report, weaving Indigenous knowledge, community insights, and statistical data into a cohesive narrative.
    • assist in developing recommendations for future iterations of Write to Read BC and strategies to support its ongoing sustainability and alignment with Indigenous sovereignty.
    Research on the impact of Indigenous-led libraries installed together with Write to Read BC in isolated BC communities.

  • Tsawwassen

    About the community

    The Tsawwassen First Nation is in greater Vancouver, in BC’s lower mainland. Its name means “land facing the sea”. Traditionally, its lands covered a what is now Pitt Meadows, New Westminster, and several gulf islands off the mainland’s west coast. It has lands close to the south arm of the Fraser River, and just north of the border with the USA at Point Roberts.

    Tsawwassen First Nation has a youth centre on site that includes a gymnasium, weight room, art room, teen lounge, and teaching kitchen. It has areas for music, dance, and media that allow for scheduled and drop-in classes. There is after-school care for young children.

    The centre also has a library.

    About the library

    Write to Read BC installed the library in partnership with the Tsawwassen First Nation Youth Centre.

  • Xwemelch’stn School

    About the community

    The Squamish Nation is based in BC’s lower mainland, in West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and Squamish, BC. It includes 26 First Nations reserves around the Capilano River, Mosquito Creek, and Seymour River on the north shore of Burrard Inlet in North Vancouver, along the Squamish River, and in Gibsons and Port Mellon in Howe Sound.

    One of Squamish Nation’s schools, Capilano Littlest Ones, brings together 130 Indigenous and non-Indigenous students in the Norgate area of urban North Vancouver. The school and its library bring together Indigenous and non-indigenous citizens, to break down social barriers, build bridges across cultures, and re-establish positive relationships. Capilano Littlest Ones is a community school under the auspices of North Vancouver School District.

    About the library

    Write to Read BC installed a library in Capilano Littlest Ones Xwemelch’stn School. Its sponsors included the Rotary Club of West Vancouver Sunrise.

  • Aboriginal Mother Centre

    About the organisation

    Aboriginal Mother Centre offers housing in Vancouver, BC, for mothers and their young children, who are at risk of homelessness or child welfare intervention. The program offers suites for mothers and children under the age of nine.

    The program focuses on mothers giving back to their community, for example by helping with the Elders program by serving food, cleaning up tables, distributing food to take home, and engaging with Elders.

    Aboriginal Mother Centre also offers family-wellness programs for mothers to enhance their skills and abilities as parents, and help them on their life journeys. Each week, the centre also offers parenting workshops, housing- and resources workshops, life-skills workshops and self-care workshops.

    About the library

    Write to Read BC placed a library in the Aboriginal Mothers Centre. The library’s sponsors included the Rotary Club of Whistler Millennium.

  • 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.