Winnipeg, MB - Millennium Library's two areas for Indigenous Resources, the Aboriginal Reading-in-the-Round (main floor, Children's Services) and Aboriginal Resources area (second floor, Adult Services) were given Indigenous names at a ceremony this morning.
The Aboriginal Reading-in-the-Round, located on the main floor in Children’s Services will be renamed Ah kha koo gheesh, meaning Groundhog Place: Children emerging from learning. The Aboriginal Resources area, located on the second floor in Adult Services will be renamed Wii ghoss, meaning Birch Bark Centre. The names were chosen by Elders Barbara and Clarence Nepinak.
“The Indigenous Resource areas at the Millennium Library are hubs of culture, inclusivity and understanding,” said Jenny Gerbasi, City Councillor for Fort Rouge - East Fort Garry. “Providing these areas with culturally-appropriate names is important in recognizing the language and culture so key in a diverse and welcoming public space.”
Elders Barbara and Clarence Nepinak attended this morning’s ceremony to provide a blessing and give both spaces new names.
The main floor Aboriginal Reading-in-the-Round opened November 8, 2005 with the new Millennium Library. This welcoming, colourful area is filled with movable shelving of children’s books of stories and teachings of Indigenous Peoples, including Indigenous languages. Large colourful circles of children’s paintings, expressing their vision of community, hang overhead. Funding for the Aboriginal Reading-in-the-Round area was secured by the Winnipeg Library Foundation through the Winnipeg Foundation’s Moffat Family Fund.
The second floor Aboriginal Resources area opened May 15, 2013 and has books on history, art, contemporary issues, and Indigenous languages. Birch tree “clouds” hang overhead. Blankets adorn the adjacent wall and the wood shelving encompassing the space evokes the beauty of nature.
Both areas were designed by Anishinabe designer Destiny Seymour.
For more information on Winnipeg Public Library, including hours, locations, and online services, please visit winnipeg.ca/library.