How to Use the Indigenous Historical Publications Dataset to Drive Your Local Digitization Efforts

Background of Project

Established in 2021, the Indigenous Historical Publications Working Group (IHPWG) is a collaborative initiative involving collections, subject, and digitization librarians across COPPUL member institutions. The group is composed of Indigenous and non-Indigenous members. Its goal is to responsibly guide efforts to improve the discovery, access, and preservation of publications by and about Indigenous communities on whose lands COPPUL members live and work. These materials include newspapers, newsletters, and various forms of grey literature. The group initiated a shared dataset to identify relevant publications held in academic libraries and archives across Canada, along with born-digital materials.

Check List

Digitization projects play a critical role in increasing access to cultural memory, especially those that are underrepresented in library collections such as publications by or about Indigenous peoples. The Indigenous Historical Publications Dataset can serve as a helpful starting point for choosing materials to digitize. There are several ways to use this dataset to support your digitization efforts. Below is a checklist with consideration to help guide you in using this dataset.

1. Determining Access and Building Relationships 

Determine how the digitized materials will be made available. Will they be openly accessible or restricted to specific groups? Digitized materials must be guided by the communities they represent and may be restricted in terms of discovery and viewership.  Ensuring that the materials are accessible to those who are most closely connected to them is a key consideration but it is not the accessibility that is crucial to the engagement and stewardship, but rather the relationships that guide access considerations that are crucial. There are existing tools such as Local Context labels that can help support this work. A respectful and inclusive approach will ensure that the digitization process aligns with community values and priorities.

2. Identify Relevant Publications 

The dataset is a curated list of publications that are likely Indigenous, serving as a helpful starting point for institutions to review their collections. Detailed information about the methodology used to identify publications can be found at this link. The dataset can be used to identify Indigenous publications within your institution’s collections that are not yet digitized. It’s important to confirm that no digital copies of the publication already exist. Some may have been digitized by other institutions, or the publishers may hold a digital archive. 

3. Consult Options for Digitization 

Does your institution have an established digitization program? If so, reach out to the folks involved. They will likely have existing workflows and procedures in place for digitization and preservation and can advise on appropriate steps. Consult carefully to better understand the implications of your project for local digitization resources, including feasibility,timelines, and considerations for stewarding the data over time.

If no digitization program exists, consider partnering with other institutions, especially those with experience in preserving and digitizing Indigenous materials.

4. Assess Technical Factors and Collaborate with Stakeholders

Engage in a consultative process with internal and external stakeholders, when and if possible, to assess key factors such as condition, relationship to other digitized collections, technical requirements, metadata and digital preservation considerations, etc. Key factors to consider include the condition of the materials, urgency for preservation, and their potential for increased use once digitized. It’s also important to assess how these materials fill gaps in existing digital collections, the technical requirements for digitization and supporting access to the digitized materials over time, the need for descriptive metadata, and budget constraints. 

5. Copyright, Ethics, Privacy 

Copyright assessments are a critical step of any digitization project. Is the material in the public domain? Is it still under copyright? How will you approach the publisher for permissions? 

Beyond copyright, ethics and privacy are particularly important when digitizing Indigenous materials. The Indigenous Historical Publications Working Group (IHPWG) endorses the importance of understanding and applying the principles of  OCAP®—Ownership, Control, Access, and Possession—as defined by the First Nations Information Governance Centre, as well as CARE principles for Indigenous data governance when stewarding and supporting Indigenous communities in digitizing their content. While Canadian copyright law may permit digitization and public access, these legal permissions can conflict with the preferences, rights, and protocols of the Indigenous communities concerned. Respect for the privacy and culturally sensitive material of Indigenous communities is essential. The Indigenous communities and nations should guide the level of access to the digitized material. 

6. Respectful Description 

Review the existing metadata associated with the materials. What work needs to be done to ensure that these materials are properly described and discoverable in a digital environment? Using terminology that is respectful, accurate, and reflective of the materials cultural context is an essential part of making these publications more accessible and discoverable in a way that upholds the sovereignty and autonomy of the communities they represent. Some information about how institutions are working to decolonize description, can be found on the COPPUL website. 

7. Start Small and Scale Up 

Digitization projects are often large and complex. Consider starting with a small pilot project, perhaps focusing on a single issue or a short-run periodical that is in the public domain. This initial phase can help you build a workflow tailored to the unique needs of Indigenous materials and allow for any necessary adjustments before scaling up, where appropriate. 

Conclusion 

Digitization improves access to important materials across geographic areas, making it easier for Indigenous nations, libraries, museums, and archives to discover which titles are available. The Indigenous Historical Publications Dataset offers a valuable resource for institutions aiming to digitize Indigenous periodicals. By prioritizing collaboration, consultation, and ethical considerations, you can create a respectful and effective plan to preserve and share these materials for the benefit of the communities they represent.