Indigenous languages welcome sign

Welcome to the University of Toronto Libraries! 

The University of Toronto Libraries is dedicated to building and improving relationships with Indigenous communities to better understand our obligations and responsibilities. The University of Toronto Libraries also supports the preservation, revitalization, and promotion of Indigenous languages.

Because the University of Toronto operates on land that for thousands of years has been the traditional land of the Huron-Wendat, the Seneca, and the Mississaugas of the Credit, we welcome everyone with the words of welcome in the following four languages: 

Learn more

To find Indigenous languages resources, check out the Indigenous Languages research guide.

To study Indigenous languages at the University of Toronto, please visit the Centre for Indigenous Studies website.

To learn about how the University of Toronto has committed to Truth and Reconciliation or learn more about how you can contribute, please see the Final Report of the Steering Committee on Truth and Reconciliation.

Learn more about the work taking place around the world to preserve and disseminate Indigenous languages on the UNESCO Indigenous Languages Decade website.

About the artist 

The artist wearing a hat next to paintingJoshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley is an Ojibwe woodland artist from Barrie, ON. He is a member of Wasauksing, FN and is currently living in Vancouver, BC. He was previously an  Artist-in-Residence at Skwachàys Lodge in downtown Vancouver from Sept 2017- Sept 2020. His work aims to promote and reclaim traditional Ojibwe stories and teachings, while modernizing the woodland style and bringing it into mainstream focus through a variety of mediums. He has illustrated children's books for Groundwood Books and HarperCollins which were released in spring 2021 and his third children's book with Annick Press was just released this fall 2021. Joshua is currently working on illustrating two new children's books while operating a screen-print shop and building a language app. 

Read Thunder and the Noise Storms, illustrated by Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckly.

Artist’s statement  

This piece was created to teach some greetings of the Anishinaabe, Wendat, Seneca, and Mississaugas, the host nations of the traditional territories that the Library of Toronto currently resides and operates on. We must recognize the sovereignty of these nations and that this land was stolen as we continue building pathways towards a better future for all who reside here. As an Anishinaabe artist, I wanted to showcase our beautiful culture and artistry with bold colours and florals, while honouring the relationship between our neighbouring nations. 

Questions about this initiative? Contact us