CRKN Interim Indigenous Subject Headings

The Canadian Research Knowledge Network (CRKN) has completed the second phase of the Indigenous Subject Headings project. This project is part of our ongoing efforts to update the Canadiana collections and infrastructure with community-supported improvements, and will result in a better experience for researchers seeking content in Canadiana by and about Indigenous communities.

In this project, CRKN staff removed outdated and disrespectful language in Canadiana subject headings and metadata that relate to Indigenous communities. We then replaced that language with updated terminology developed with guidance from Indigenous groups and pre-existing work from GLAM (galleries, libraries, archives, and museums) organizations. Phase II of the project involved removing the term “Indian” from subject headings and, where required, updating the spelling and alphabet of subject headings. For example, the term “Micmac Indians” has been replaced with “Mi’kmaq,” a term that better reflects current usage among the Mi’kmaq community and GLAM organizations in Canada. CRKN completed the first phase of the project in 2022, which replaced the Canadiana subject heading “Indians of North America” with “Indigenous peoples.”

To encourage collaboration and provide transparency for our work, CRKN is once again sharing a spreadsheet outlining interim subject headings, developed as a provisional measure while national efforts advance. It will be revised as language changes, or as an updated national vocabulary is created. This spreadsheet is a living document and should not be considered exhaustive or definitive, and we encourage input and feedback on it.