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APPENDIX D - Glossary of Terms
Terms Related to Libraries
Basic library services - Access to catalogues and
information, library materials, library borrowing privileges
in all public libraries province-wide (reciprocal borrowing),
and ability to request to borrow materials from other libraries
on interlibrary loan. For a more detailed definition, see
The Public Libraries Regulations, 1996, section 3.
Equitable access - All people have access to a fair
level of service, although the means of delivery may vary;
e.g. it is impossible to duplicate the resources of a large
public library in every small branch library across Saskatchewan
to create equal service, but it is possible to provide access
to all library resources in other ways.
A library is any organized collection of printed
books and periodicals or of any other graphic, electronic,
or audio-visual materials, AND the services of a staff to
provide and facilitate the use of such materials or of any
other information sources required to meet the informational,
research, educational, cultural or recreational needs of
its users. A public library serves the population of a community
or region and is established through The Public Libraries
Act, 1996. They are supported by tax dollars.
Resource sharing commonly refers to libraries exchanging
books or other library materials in organized ways such
as block exchanges, interlibrary loan and reciprocal borrowing.
However, many other resources of libraries can also be shared,
such as staff expertise, training opportunities, cooperative
purchase of expensive information databases, etc.
Universal access - All residents of Saskatchewan
may use public library services without exception.
Terms Related to Aboriginal Peoples
Aboriginal peoples - The descendants of the original
inhabitants of North America. The 1982 Canadian Constitution
defines Aboriginal peoples to include First Nations (Indians),
Inuit and Métis peoples.
Elder - A man or woman whose wisdom about spirituality,
culture and life is recognized. Not all Elders are "old".
The Aboriginal community and individuals will normally seek
the advice and assistance of Elders in various areas of
traditional as well as contemporary issues.
First Nation - A term that came into common usage
in the 1970s to replace the word "Indian", which many found
offensive. Although the term "First Nation" is widely used,
no legal definition of it exists. Among its uses, the term
"First Nations peoples" refers to the descendants of the
original inhabitants of Canada.
Indian Band (First Nation) - A group of First Nations
people for whom lands have been set apart and money is held
by the Crown. Each band elects its own governing band council,
usually consisting of one Chief and Councilors. Today, many
bands prefer to be known as First Nations. In this document,
the term First Nations has been used to describe Indian
bands or Indian reserves.
Indian - Describes Aboriginal peoples in Canada
who are not Inuit or Métis people. There are three legal
definitions that apply to First Nations people in Canada:
Status, Non-Status and Treaty.
- Status - Registered or entitled to be registered
under the Indian Act. The Act sets out the requirements
for determining who is a Status Indian.
- Non-Status - Not entitled to be registered under
the Indian Act.
- Treaty - Registered with a First Nation whose
ancestors signed a treaty with the Crown and as a result
are entitled to treaty benefits.
Reserve - Land set aside by the federal government
through the Indian Act or through treaties for the
use of a specific band or First Nation. The band council
has "exclusive user rights" to the land, but the land is
"owned" by the Crown. The Indian Act states this
land cannot be owned by individual band members. The above
definitions were based on definitions in the Aboriginal
Workforce Participation Initiative Employer Toolkit,
Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, 1998).
Métis people - An Aboriginal person who self-identifies
as Métis, distinct from First Nation and Inuit; who is a
descendant of those Métis who received or were entitled
to receive land grants and/or scrip under the provisions
of the Manitoba Act (1870) or the Dominion Lands
Act; or a person who is accepted by the Métis Nation
(as outlined in the Métis Nation Accord).
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