Truth and Reconciliation at PRL

The Prince Rupert Library (PRL) is committed to the process of reconciliation with the First Nations people of this area and local urban Indigenous communities. In the spirit of reconciliation, we respect unity and collaboration in our coexistence upon the traditional and unceded territory of the Ts'msyen & Sm'algya̱x speaking peoples. We welcome all to PRL.

Indigenous Storyteller in Residence Program

Introducing Prince Rupert Library's first Indigenous Storyteller in Residence!

Wil Uks Ba̱tsga G̱a̱laaw (Jeremy Pahl) is a member of the house of Txat Gwatk from the La̱xsgyiik (Eagle Clan) of Txałgiiw (Hartley Bay). He was born in La̱x Kxeen (Prince Rupert) and resides here. He's been a songwriter since he first started playing music as a child, and is a touring professional musician today with his project G̱a̱mksimoon. Jeremy's been learning about his culture since he was a youth, and has been working diligently with Sm'algya̱x language since he was a young adult. He loves hanging out with elders, singing, harvesting and processing traditional Ts'msyen foods, and learning about adaawx (oral histories).

Stay tuned for exciting workshops and events happening at the library in the coming months!

Current Indigenous Collection Highlights (2025)

Browse our extensive Indigenous Collection. New 2025 additions by Indigenous authors include:

Adult Books

Juvenile Books

Children's Books

Search specifically for Truth and Reconciliation resources.

Our Reconciliation Initiatives

PRL has responded to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action. We have instituted these initiatives (with links to additional resources):

Pathfinder: Residential Schools (ongoing)
An informational sheet is available to the public. It lists some of the resources (Adult Non-Fiction, Juvenile Books, Videos, etc.) that are specific to the topic of Residential Schools and reconciliation. Visit our online catalogue for items on Residential Schools

Reclaiming Power and Place:
The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The National Inquiry's Final Report reveals that persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations and abuses are the root cause behind Canada's staggering rates of violence against Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA people. The two volume report calls for transformative legal and social changes to resolve the crisis that has devastated Indigenous communities across the country.

Ongoing Commitment:
We continue to add materials to our collection to foster understanding and reconciliation. We have a large collection of self-help materials to assist people on the journey of healing, and related topics on residential schools.

• Northwest History Collection room: this is a secure room with books on local First Nations and Northwest British Columbia.
• We welcome suggestions about materials to purchase.
• Community partnership: We encourage community partnership in hosting an event at the library.