Since then negotiations between libraries and First Nations are now or have taken place in Victoria, the Okanagan, Vancouver Island, Fraser Valley. These comments have become even more timely since 1994. I speak here as a First Nations individual. Library services could be, and at times were, denied due to jurisdictional disputes.
Reserves are under federal jurisdiction.
First People could be denied library service or asked to pay a membership fee. Access to information becomes a serious issue in this case. The tax question raises the issue about who rightfully owns this land and its resources. The First Nations know who does. For First Nations people not to have access to libraries and information is not only unjust, but against the basic mandate and principles of public libraries.