Native Peoples Collection

The Native Peoples Collection includes books, CDs and DVDs, as well as language-learning kits, by and about the Native Peoples of North America with special emphasis on First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in Canada.

TPL has Collections at 3 locations:

Spadina Road Library

North York Central Library

Toronto Reference Library, Languages Centre, Languages of the Americas Collection

Highlights of the Collection

The focus of the Native Peoples Collection is on contemporary topics and issues, though some historical material is available as well. In this collection, you'll find books and other materials on:

• Art and artists
• History and heritage
• Medicine
• Myths and legends
• Native leaders
• Native writers and their works
• Political and social issues such as land claims, treaty rights, population, residential schools and statistics
• Religion and spirituality

Newspapers, Magazines, Newsletters, both popular and academic, including:

• Aboriginal Business Magazine
• Aboriginal Voices
• Anishinabek News
• Canadian Journal of Native Studies
• Native Peoples Magazine
• Native Studies Review
• SAY Magazine: Spirit of Aboriginal Youth
• Tekawennake News
• Up Here
• Whispering Wind
• Windspeaker

CDs and DVDs

• A collection of traditional and contemporary music CDs by First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists.
• A large selection of DVDs on history, culture and native issues

Unique Materials (Spadina Road location only)

• Children's materials by and about Native Peoples
• First Nations, Métis and Inuit graphic novels and comic books for adults and teens
• A small collection of Native teen fiction

Federal and Provincial Government Publications, including:

• Reports of Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry
• Akwesasne to Wummumin Lake - Profiles of Aboriginal Communities in Ontario (1992)
• Selected U.S. and international government publications
• Canadian census material on aboriginal people

Anishinaabemowin Language Collection

TPL has a new Anishinaabemowin (ᐊᓂᔑᓇᐯᒧᐎᐣ) language collection. The focus of this collection is on language, identities, cultures and traditions. This collection also includes materials in English that are about the Anishinaabemowin language. These are shared through traditional teachings, Indigenous Knowledges, storytelling, legends and oral traditions from Knowledge Keepers and Elders. Items in this collection are for children, teens, adults and Elders.

TPL has items from this collection at 4 branches:

• Spadina Road Library (all ages)
• North York Central Library (all ages)
• Dawes Road Library (all ages)
• Toronto Reference Library (Elder and adult only)