Clearinghouse of Professional Information

First Nations Resources

This section includes general links and resources of interest to both First Nation libraries and non-native libraries that either serve First Nation peoples or have an interest in Aboriginal materials and programming.

SOLS offers the services of a First Nations Consultant through the SOLS Guidelines Group, hosts at least one First Nation Libraries’ Gathering each year and launched the Libraries Helping Libraries: First Nation Libraries’ Development Program, in 2004. In addition, SOLS contributes significantly to the annual organization of First Nations Public Library Week and has coordinated the First Nation Communities Read program and the Friends of Ontario's First Nation Public Libraries Honour Program. Consulting on First Nation and Aboriginal issues to First Nation band councils and library staff, as well as to non-native library boards, CEOs and staff.  For advice or assistance please contact Patty Lawlor by phone or by email at .

OLS - North has two Library Development Advisors assigned to assist First Nation Libraries. OLS - North hosts a First Nation Conference each year in addition to a smaller Fall gathering. In addition, OLS - North supports several First Nation Library Initiatives including First Nation Public Library Week. Library Development Advisors work with SOLS staff in the delivery of programs such as First Nation Communities Read. OLS - North also administers the First Nation Salary Subsidy Program on behalf of the Ministry of Culture. For advice or assistance please contact Lorraine Leblanc by phone or by e-mail at

Topics include

General Resources | Meet Your Neighbours | Special Public Library Funding Programs

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General Resources

• EXCEL A Certificate Programme in Managing Small Public Libraries
• First Nation Advocacy Kit (Strategic Plan Implementation Committee)
• First Nations Links
• First Nations Reading Circles Program 
• Our Way Forward: A Strategic Plan for Ontario First Nation Public Libraries. or full graphics edition (.pdf)
• SOLS workshops

Meet Your Neighbours

• Aboriginal Awareness Week
• Aboriginal Canada Portal   Single window to Canadian Aboriginal on-line resources, contacts, information, and government programs and services.
• Akwesasne Cultural Center
• ALL Native Books: Index by subject, age-level, tribe, title, individual reviews
• American Indian Library Association
• Canadian Directory of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Library Collections  (Univ. of Sask.)
• Kanhiote-Tyendinaga Territory P.L.
• Kettle and Stoney Point Library
• National Aboriginal Day
• Native American Books. Reviews by  and for Native people especially for educators and students. Also an outreach service for non-Indian teachers at schools whose student populations are entirely or almost entirely non-Indian. Entirely or almost entirely non-Indian. 
• Native American Sites
• Nativeculture.com
• Native Web.  General resources for Indigenous Cultures around the World
• Ontario First Nations Public Library Week
• Resources on Native Americans. Materials found in books at the Plymouth District Library and on the World Wide Web
• Special Funding Programs (OLS-N)

Special Public Library Funding Programs

• Special Funding Programs (OLS-N)

The Salary Supplement Program is designed to assist First Nation communities in providing wages to library staff. Funding, originating from the Ministry of Culture, currently provides up to $13,000 per year to supplement wages of library workers in First Nations which have met Ministry of Culture requirements regarding the establishment and operation of public libraries. Ontario Library Service - North administers the Salary Supplement program and is responsible for distributing application information each year.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation recognizes First Nation public libraries as eligible applicants for grant funding.

The Ontario Library Association (OLA) in partnership with Brodart offers the Brodart/OLA Scholarship for First Nation Librarians annually. These scholarships cover the costs of First Nation librarians attending the annual OLA Super Conference.