ITOTELNEW̱ HÁUTW̱ / Tatul’ utew’t-hw
Indigenous Learning Area
The Indigenous Learning Area at the Salt Spring Public Library is called ITOTELNEW̱ HÁUTW̱ Tatul’ utew’t-hw. ITOTELNEW̱ HÁUTW̱ means “House of Learning” in SENĆOŦEN. Tatul’ utew’t-hw means “Teaching House” in Hul’q’umi’num’. The name of the Indigenous Learning Area was gifted to the Library from local Language Keepers. The Salt Spring Island Public Library is grateful to the local Indigenous Peoples who, despite the erasure of their presence on Salt Spring, have been so gracious in sharing their knowledge with us and welcoming us to their Traditional Homelands.
ITOTELNEW̱ HÁUTW̱ Tatul’ utew’t-hw contains a variety of artwork and furnishings created by Indigenous artists who include Salt Spring Island as part of their homelands. The collection includes, textiles art, prints, sculpture, and furnishings in wood and glass.
The Salt Spring Island Public Library has been working on developing our Indigenous Collection by removing outdated books, and increasing the number of books by Indigenous authors, particularly local Indigenous Authors.
The collection includes fiction, non fiction and graphic novels, in adult, young adult, and juvenile categories as well as DVDs and CDs.
The library will continue to decolonize the collection by focusing on books by Indigenous authors rather than books by non-indigenous authors about Indigenous peoples.
