Thematic Network on Decolonization of Arctic Library and Archives Metadata (DALAM)

The DALAM network works in the area of decolonization of metadata, descriptive cataloguing, archival description, classification systems, subject headings, and other terminology that is used by libraries and archives. The network serves as a community of practice for librarians, archivists and information professionals who work in this area.

Goals

  • To help libraries and archives correct the culturally inappropriate, incorrect and colonially centered metadata, subject headings and descriptive records which currently exist in Arctic collections.
  • To support Indigenous Peoples in defining the ways in which they and their environments are described in this domain.
  • To make Arctic Indigenous languages more present in metadata, subject headings and descriptive records.
  • To build infrastructure, practices, tools, and relationships among Thematic Network partners to promote sustainability going forward.

Activities

  • Regular meetings of the network to identify issues and problems that the network partners can jointly address
  • Biennial Network meetings in conjunction with the Polar Libraries Colloquy to provide opportunities for sharing research results
  • Develop shared tools to help partners in their decolonization work
  • Develop educational activities for partners
  • Meets monthly
  • Recruit additional partners, particularly Indigenous partners
  • Planning sessions for the 29th Polar Libraries Colloquy to be held in Tromsø, Norway in 2024
  • Educational events for members
  • Development of an inventory of community approved dictionaries and terminology lists

Publications

Scite Dashboard

UArctic partners with Scite to provide bibliometric dashboards for our Thematic Networks.

Other Information

Presentations in 2024:

  • Brillant, S. Vocabulaire décrivant les Peuples autochtones (RVM) : une méthodologie sur-mesure, un projet hors du commun / Subject-headings describing Indigenous Peoples in the RVM : a tailor-made methodology, an extraordinary project Ontario Library Association (OLA) Superconference 2024, Toronto, ON. January 25th, 2024 (in person, 7 participants).

Presentations in 2023:

  • Moorman R, Cox D, Digou, L. Alaska Native Subject Headings Grant Project: An Update. November 7, 2023.
  • Häkkilä , Jonna.  The Nuohtti Service. September 26, 2023.
  • Desmeules, Robin.  Discussion of Best Practices for Authority Work Relating to Indigenous Groups in the U.S  published by the Latin American and Indigenous Peoples of the Americas SACO Funnel. June 13, 2023.
  • Brillant, S. Révision du vocabulaire décrivant les Peuples Autochtones dans le RVM : méthodes de travail et évolution du projet. Presentation as part of the course “Bibliographic description and documentary analysis” of the School of Library and Information Sciences (EBSI) of the University of Montreal. Online presentation. April 12th, 2023. (40 students)
  • Brillant, S. Révision du vocabulaire décrivant les Peuples Autochtones dans le RVM : a series of webinars for our clients about our decolonizing project of the French subject-headings in Canada related to Indigenous Peoples. Regroupement des bibliothèques collégiales (REBICQ). Online presentation. March 2, 2023. (45 attendees)
  • Brillant, S. Révision du vocabulaire décrivant les Peuples Autochtones dans le RVM : a series of webinars for our clients about our decolonizing project of the French subject-headings in Canada related to Indigenous Peoples. Association des bibliothèques publiques du Québec (Quebec Public Library Association) (ABPQ).Online presentation, February 21, 2023. (60 attendees)
  • Brillant, S. Révision du vocabulaire décrivant les Peuples Autochtones dans le RVM : a series of webinars for our clients about our decolonizing project of the French subject-headings in Canada related to Indigenous Peoples. Réseau informatisé des bibliothèques gouvernementales (RIBG). Online presentation, February 16, 2023. (25 attendees)
  • Brillant, S. Révision du vocabulaire décrivant les Peuples Autochtones dans le RVM : a series of webinars for our clients about our decolonizing project of the French subject-headings in Canada related to Indigenous Peoples. Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) » and for « Library and Archives Canada-Bibliothèque et Archives du Canada (LAC-BAC). Online présentation, January 26, 2023 (75 attendees)
  • Brillant, S. Révision du vocabulaire décrivant les Peuples Autochtones dans le RVM : a series of webinars for our clients about our decolonizing project of the French subject-headings in Canada related to Indigenous Peoples. Partenariat des bibliothèques universitaires du Québec (PBUQ), Online Presentation January 19, 2023. (55 attendees)
  • Farnel, S. Decolonizing Metadata. Online workshop presented by the Decolonizing Arctic Library and Archives Metadata (DALAM) Thematic Network. January 17, 2023
  • List of Decolonization-related Presentations and Publications by DALAM Members Pre - 2023 can be found here. (Updated April 16, 2023)

Communications and administration contact:

 

Sandy Campbell, Member of the UArctic Thematic Network on Decolonization of Arctic Library and Archives Metadata (DALAM)