Brock’s Entiohahathe’te Knowledge Den may have opened in the lead-up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, but its resources and programming opportunities will facilitate conversations around truth and reconciliation well into the future.

A project several years in the making, the dedicated space in the Matheson Learning Commons of the Brock University Library officially opened Sept. 24 and features an Indigenous reading collection and art from First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists. The goal of the space is to share resources about residential schools and Indigenous experiences and to support the work of Indigenous creators.

University Librarian Nicole Nolan said she is “honoured to have been a part of naming and opening this very special space on campus.”

“My hope is that it will contribute to a feeling of being welcome, acknowledged and safe for all Indigenous people within the Brock community and beyond, and that it will be conducive to education and awareness for everyone that walks through the library and sees it,” she said.

The Library worked with the Hadiya’dagénhahs First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Centre team and Vice-Provost, Indigenous Engagement Robyn Bourgeois to call the space a Knowledge Den and to name it after Brock’s Spirit Bear, Entiohahathe’te.

Part of the Reconciliation Ambearrister program, the Spirit Bear is an initiative and resource created by the First Nations Child and Family Caring Society that addresses inequalities experienced by Indigenous children, youth and families and symbolizes a commitment to reconciliation.

Entiohahathe’te, a Kanyen’kehà:ka (Mohawk) word, means “the path will be bright.”

“The naming of the space reflects the values of hope and positivity embodied by the Spirit Bear as well as a commitment to amplifying Indigenous voices and truths about our shared history,” said Bourgeois. “Reconciliation is not an isolated event, and this space provides us with an ongoing opportunity to reflect on our past as well as to celebrate Indigenous excellence as we continue taking steps toward the betterment of all people in the future.”

The project originated with Brock Library’s Head of Teaching and Learning Jennifer Thiessen, who had an idea to identify a space in the library that housed Indigenous books and art.

After several years — and the support of many cross-campus partnerships along the way — the vision was officially realized with the opening celebration in September, attended by members of the Brock and local communities. The family-friendly event featured songs, a story reading and personal reflections from drummer and storyteller Nicole Joy-Fraser, a teaching assistant in Brock’s Department of Dramatic Arts.

Nolan looks forward to continuing to work with people from across the University to ensure the collection remains meaningful and relevant to all who access it. As such, the collection’s resources — which are free and accessible to all — and any future programming will continue to evolve and change over time.

“How we label and use our land demonstrates how we value and connect to it, and the stories we share, the books we provide and the art we display all matter,” Nolan said. “I hope this space will continue to evolve to reflect truth and reconciliation efforts, and with a name of Entiohahathe’te, we are undoubtedly setting the stage for a bright path forward.”

To find out more about other events surrounding truth and reconciliation across campus, including the next iteration of the Calling in the Calls to Action workshop planned for Monday, Nov. 25, visit ExperienceBU.