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Melanie
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June marks National Indigenous History Month, but Canada still has a long way to go in improving its relationship with Indigenous nations across Turtle Island. One of the ways Canadians can honour Indigenous histories, peoples and communities is to learn and educate themselves. Here are a few places to start.... Continue reading
Posted Jun 10, 2020 at What's On at the Library
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First Story Toronto members Sarena Johnson and Megan Davies have teamed up with us to bring Indigenous local history narratives to our Local History & Genealogy blog. Here they return with their seegwun post, along with their guest blogger Morris Prosser! Have a look at their previous posts, Indigenous Toronto:... Continue reading
Posted May 1, 2018 at Local History & Genealogy
Hi Julia, Thanks for your message! I'd definitely recommend checking out First Story's blog: firststoryblog.wordpress.com. First Story is an Indigenous-led community history group which has been actively researching and preserving the Indigenous history of Toronto since 1995. I'd also recommend a book called "The Meeting Place: Aboriginal Life in Toronto" edited by Heather Howard-Bobiwash and Frances Sanderson, and published in 1997. You can borrow a copy from TPL (https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM223012&R=223012) or purchase a copy from the Cedar Basket Gift Shop (http://ncct.on.ca/gift-shop/) at the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto (http://ncct.on.ca/). You might also want to check out an article called "Toronto's Native History," which was published in First Nations House magazine, in their premiere issue from December 2012: https://issuu.com/fnhmagazine/docs/1fnhmag Muskrat magazine also published an article on the Indigenous history of Toronto: http://muskratmagazine.com/toronto-aka-tkaronto-passes-new-city-council-protocol/ The following titles, available at TPL, also have some information regarding the Indigenous history of Toronto before the arrival of settlers: - The Toronto Carrying Place by Glenn Turner (https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM3235043&R=3235043) - Sacred Feathers by Donald Smith (https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM3035916&R=3035916) - Mississauga Portraits by Donald Smith (https://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/detail.jsp?Entt=RDM2981954&R=2981954) Finally, you may also want to check out the UofT Libraries guide on "The Indigenous History of Tkaronto" for additional resources: https://guides.library.utoronto.ca/Toronto Hope this helps!
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By Sarena Johnson and Megan Davies, First Story Toronto Aaniiboozhoo, We’re back this giiwe-biboon (late winter)! This is the best time to talk about Trickster, because he’s sleeping and won’t bother us. Sometimes if you talk about spirits, they will hear it as an invitation to visit you. Trickster isn’t... Continue reading
Posted Feb 25, 2018 at Local History & Genealogy
Hi May, The next online cohort starts December 25. You can sign up here: https://www.coursera.org/learn/indigenous-canada
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Aanii Toronto, We are two members of First Story Toronto, and we couldn’t be more excited to be bringing you the first of a new series of seasonal blog posts about Indigenous Toronto – past, present and future – through the Toronto Public Library! Here’s a bit about us: Aaniiboozhoo!... Continue reading
Posted Oct 2, 2017 at Local History & Genealogy
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Join us in exploring Indigenous histories and contemporary issues in Canada, from Indigenous perspectives. Indigenous Canada is a FREE Massive Open Online Course (MOOC), created by the University of Alberta, Faculty of Native Studies, that looks at key issues facing Indigenous peoples today from a historical and critical perspective, highlighting... Continue reading
Posted Sep 11, 2017 at Toronto Reference Library Blog
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Learn about indigenous experiences in Canada by reading the works of those who have lived that experience. Burning in this Midnight Dream by Louise Bernice Half Alicia Elliott in Initiations: A Selection of Young Native Writings Meshom and the Little One by Elaine Wagner Night Moves by Richard Van Camp... Continue reading
Posted May 25, 2017 at Toronto Reference Library Blog
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I remember seeing Richard Wagamese speak. He spoke about how libraries change lives. About how when he was experiencing homelessness, the local library was his refuge. How the librarian took him to see an opera. Many tears were shed while he spoke – not by him, but by the people... Continue reading
Posted Mar 13, 2017 at Toronto Reference Library Blog
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A 13-year-old boy reads an English version of the Guswenta, also known as the Two-Row Wampum Treaty. Sourced from the Virtual Reference Library. The release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's 94 Calls to Action (PDF) has spurred a lot introspection, both at the individual and collective levels, about what... Continue reading
Posted Dec 8, 2016 at Toronto Reference Library Blog
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You know that commerical with the dad prancing happily through the aisles of an office supply store, while Andy Williams' It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year plays in the background and two obviously unenthusiastic kids trail behind? I absolutely love that commercial! It's true that Back to School... Continue reading
Posted Aug 6, 2014 at New to Canada
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The call of a loon, the smell of a campfire, and the twinkling of stars in a night sky. This is what a typical Canadian summer looks like. If you want to experience Canada, and what it is to be Canadian, then you need to go camping! Camping can seem... Continue reading
Posted Apr 17, 2014 at New to Canada
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When Leticia Davolli arrived in Canada four years ago, the Toronto Reference Library was one her favourite local neighbourhood haunts. She had heard about the library from friends and colleagues while attending ESL classes in the Yonge and Bloor area. As a recently arrived newcomer, the Toronto Reference Library was... Continue reading
Posted Dec 19, 2013 at New to Canada
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Being a teenager is hard enough. But being a teenager and moving to another country? Well, that's a whole other challenge altogether! Here are some great books for helping the teenager in your life cope with the ups and downs of being an adolescent, on top of being the new... Continue reading
Posted Apr 11, 2013 at New to Canada
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How do I properly dispose of my old CD player? How do I get that pot-hole on my street fixed? Where can I get the flu shot? These are some of the questions many newcomers may have when they arrive in Toronto, but many people may not know where to... Continue reading
Posted Feb 16, 2013 at New to Canada
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Don't forget! Registration for City of Toronto winter skating and swimming lessons, as well as March Break Camps is Saturday, December 8 at 7:00 AM. You can register in one of the following ways: Online at https://efun.toronto.ca/torontofun/Start/Start.asp By phone at 416-338-0000 In person at designated civic centres For those who... Continue reading
Posted Dec 4, 2012 at New to Canada
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The stars are shining in Toronto! Every year in September, Toronto hosts an international film festival that brings movie lovers to the city from all places all over the world. From India to Argentina, and Egypt to France, TIFF will showcase films from around the world. Movie goers can watch... Continue reading
Posted Sep 5, 2012 at New to Canada
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Every nation has its literary hero. For Portugal, it's the one-eyed poet Luis de Camoes. Luis de Camoes was such an iconic figure, that the Portuguese decided to name the anniversary of his death as their national day of celebration. Every June 10, Portuguese communities around the world celebrate Portugal... Continue reading
Posted May 31, 2012 at New to Canada
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If you were faced with an emergency, would you know what to do? Some people would say that they are quite confident about knowing how to handle an emergency. But no matter how confident you think you are, when you're in the middle of an emergency, you may find that... Continue reading
Posted May 8, 2012 at New to Canada
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Yikes! The deadline for filing income tax returns is fast approaching! The deadline is April 30. Have your filed your income tax return yet? If not, you still have a few days to file your return! If you need help filing your return, Toronto Public Library offers free tax clinics... Continue reading
Posted Apr 22, 2012 at New to Canada
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A couple of weeks ago, I ended my last session of Toddler Time. After the program, a young mom and her tot enthusiastically approached the desk and asked to sign up for the next Toddler Time session. Her family was new to Canada, but despite speaking very little English, she... Continue reading
Posted Mar 11, 2012 at New to Canada
That's great Leigh! Sounds like a great way to fight the winter blues. Thanks for sharing with us!
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Today I walked into Tim Hortons and I saw somebody dressed in shorts! Now, I know that the weather has been pretty mild for January in Canada, but that's still no excuse to wear shorts in the middle of January! Don't let the weather fool you! Temperature and weather conditions... Continue reading
Posted Jan 31, 2012 at New to Canada
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Winter in Canada is not easy. Many newcomers prepare themselves for their new life in Canada by learning English or preparing for the Citizenship Test, but few think about the skills they will need to survive the cold Canadian winter. That is why we are introducing the Welcome to Winter!... Continue reading
Posted Jan 13, 2012 at New to Canada
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Nov 25, 2011