Blackfoot Signage Enhancements in the Library

This notice is from the archives of The Notice Board. Information contained in this notice was accurate at the time of publication but may no longer be so.

You may have noticed something a little different about signage in the University Library. Some of the signs will now have complementary Blackfoot descriptions/names accompany them. Click here to view a gallery of the enhancements.

The descriptions for the enhanced signage were provided by Blackfoot elder and fluent Blackfoot speaker Martin Heavy Head.

This enhanced signage was created as a sign of respect to the Blackfoot community and recognition that the facility resides on traditional Blackfoot land. The signage also helps create awareness of and the necessity to preserve the Blackfoot culture and language.

The list and translations of the various spaces are as follows:

Library: Iitaohkoonimao'pi Maana'piistsi
Translation: The Place Where We Find New Things

General Services Desk: Iitaissaisinaakio'pi Sinaakia'tsiistsi
Translation: The Place We Record Out the Books

Information and Research Assistance Desk: Iitaisspommootsspi
Translation: The Place We Get Help

Main Display Cases: Iitainokiihtao'pi
Translation: Showing Your Wares

10 Grandmothers Project: Kiipoyippittaakiisi'kaana:
Translation: Ten Old Ladies Blanket

Medicine Bundle Sculpture: Aahkoyinnimaani
Translation: Pipe

Washrooms: Men: Ninaiksi; Women: Aakiiksi

Staff Lounge: Iitsaissikopao'pi
Translation: The Place Where We Rest

Office Spaces: A'pao'takiiksi
Translation: Where the Workers Are

For more information on the Blackfoot language and culture, explore the University Library’s collections and the Blackfoot Digital Library!


Contact:

Jesse Malinsky | malijn@uleth.ca | uleth.ca/lib