Library circle provides space to nurture reading in Indigenous children

Amanda Myran wants to make sure books, reading and Indigenous knowledge play a big role in her seven-month-old daughter's life.

It's why she helped start a reading circle for Indigenous babies at the Fredericton Public Library.

"I'm trying to integrate our culture with her into our everyday lives, so we do smudging, we do singing and drumming, dancing and stuff like that," said Myran.

"But a big part of our culture is just the collectivity that's in it so that means having her get to know her people and I thought, how wonderful would it be to have her meet other Indigenous babies?"

Myran is Dakota and a member of the Birdtail Sioux Dakhóta Oyáte in Manitoba and was raised in Wolastoqey territory. She said she wanted to meet other Indigenous parents while raising her daughter.

Myran said the reading circle will focus on Indigenous-authored books, storytelling, teachings and playtime for the babies.

"I want Gesaset to have all of that when she grows up, so she has like a strong foundation in her identity as an Indigenous mini-matriarch," said Myran. 

Bonding through reading

Megan Fullarton, a Wolastoqey mother from Sitansisk, St. Mary's First Nation near Fredericton, has attended other parent reading circles at the library and is excited about this new group.

"It's important to have a space with other moms in general where you can talk about baby stuff and share stuff about motherhood and have somebody there that understands you and kind of knows what you're going through as well," said Fullarton.

She has two boys, ages 7 and seven months. The older boy likes comic books written by Mi'kmaw author Brandon Mitchell, and Fullarton said reading has been a great way for them to bond.

"I'm hoping just to continue to have a safe space to gather with my children, to learn from other parents, maybe to meet some new friends, because it's really hard to make friends when you're home with the baby all day," said Fullarton.

The program will also sign the children up for their first library card.

Loralie Boyle, the library's children's programming co-ordinator, hopes this program fosters a love for books and lifelong learning. 

"We think that having a program like this that centres Indigenous culture is just not only vital, but we have an obligation to do it because it is something that would celebrate and create a more inclusive space," said Boyle. 

She said they will also feature Wabanaki authors and have a selection of books in Indigenous languages. Boyle said the library is actively growing its Indigenous book section and hopes to have other Indigenous programming soon.