Stacy Allison-Cassin, Camille Callison, Robin Desmeules

The First Nations, Métis, Inuit Indigenous Ontology and Challenges in the Development of an Indigenous Community Vocabulary in the Canadian Context

Introduction

The first nations, métis, inuit indigenous ontology and challenges in the development of an indigenous community vocabulary in the canadian context. Discover the First Nations, Métis, Inuit Indigenous Ontology (FNMIIO) and challenges in creating respectful, Indigenous-led community vocabularies for Canadian cultural memory institutions.

Abstract

Creating and implementing Indigenous-led thesauri and vocabularies for wide adoption by cultural memory institutions is essential to providing respectful terminology to describe materials by and about Indigenous peoples in the territory referred to as Canada. This article details the background, creation, and reflections on the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit, Indigenous Ontology (FNMIIO), up to the release of the first draft in June 2019 as well as more recent initiatives and transformations. Grounded in the recommendations developed by the Canadian Federation of Library Associations’ (CFLA) Truth and Reconciliation Committee, the article discusses the creation of the FNMIIO as an important first step in addressing the need for a widely adoptable, Indigenous run and led thesaurus for use in cultural memory institutions. The article discusses both the methods undertaken in the project and the challenges faced in the development of the FNMIIO and connects the challenges to issues in libraries and the cultural heritage sector in the territory known as Canada as a whole. While a crucial proof-of-concept, the FNMIIO exposed several important issues that must be addressed to fully develop the thesaurus, particularly with respect to ensuring the longevity of the project. While much work remains to make the FNMIIO fully usable by institutions, the initial lessons learned by the CFLA Indigenous Matters Committee’s Joint Working Group as they progressed through the gathering of community names will undergird the next steps for the development and deployment of the FNMIIO.

Review

This article presents a timely and critical examination of the First Nation, Métis, and Inuit Indigenous Ontology (FNMIIO), outlining its development as a foundational step towards establishing Indigenous-led thesauri and vocabularies within Canadian cultural memory institutions. Grounded in the imperative of providing respectful and accurate terminology, and directly addressing recommendations from the Canadian Federation of Library Associations’ Truth and Reconciliation Committee, the paper underscores the profound significance of this initiative. By detailing the FNMIIO's background, creation, and the journey up to its initial draft in 2019, the authors effectively position this project as a crucial, albeit early, response to long-standing issues of misrepresentation and colonial cataloguing practices. The abstract clearly articulates the project's ambition to foster wide adoption and Indigenous leadership, marking it as a vital contribution to decolonization efforts in the information sciences. The authors provide valuable insights into the methodologies employed during the FNMIIO's development, but more critically, they transparently discuss the substantial challenges encountered. These challenges are not presented in isolation but are thoughtfully connected to systemic issues pervading the broader library and cultural heritage sectors across Canada. The article highlights that, despite its function as a "crucial proof-of-concept," the FNMIIO's initial phase exposed several key issues that directly impact its long-term viability and full operationalization. This honest appraisal of obstacles, particularly concerning project longevity and the complexities of gathering community-specific names, strengthens the paper's credibility and provides a realistic perspective on the scale of the undertaking. Overall, this article makes an important contribution by documenting a pioneering effort to create an Indigenous-led community vocabulary. While acknowledging that "much work remains" for the FNMIIO to be fully integrated and usable by institutions, the paper effectively communicates the foundational lessons learned by the CFLA Indigenous Matters Committee’s Joint Working Group. These initial insights are framed as essential underpinnings for the project's future development and deployment, suggesting a robust roadmap for subsequent phases. The paper’s strengths lie in its commitment to addressing a critical gap in respectful terminology, its transparent discussion of methodological and systemic challenges, and its forward-looking perspective on sustaining and expanding this vital Indigenous-led initiative within the Canadian cultural heritage landscape.

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