Year-round, the Cochrane Public Library (CPL) offers a number of programs and events to increase awareness and appreciation of Indigenous culture.
With Orange Shirt Day on the horizon, Indigenous Knowledge Keeper Gloria Snow, from Mini Thni, will be reading "The Orange Shirt Day Story" and leading several engaging activities for all ages on Sept. 28.
Carmen Erison, CPL program and engagement manager, says it's a drop-in event from 2 to 3 p.m. and registration isn't required.
"Gloria is going to read "The Orange Shirt Story" and then provide some other activities regarding Orange Shirt Day and Indigenous culture. It's meant to be a safe space where people can come, ask questions, learn about residential schools and work towards truth and reconciliation," says Ericson. "You know, it's so important that we provide these kinds of opportunities."
They've also been able to add about 100 new children's titles to their collection that were written by First Nations, Metis, and Inuit voices, many of which will have the spotlight shined upon them throughout the month of September.
Erison says focus on Indigenous cultures is spread throughout the year.
"One of our goals is to try to spread it throughout the year, because we truly believe that truth and reconciliation doesn't just happen in September. It doesn't just happen in June. Truth and reconciliation is a continuous process, and so you'll see that we are working to provide more indigenous programming throughout the year."
These programs and collections were made possible by the sponsorship of Qualico Communities.