Subject Headings identifying Aboriginal peoples in Canadian Subject Headings
(CSH) and Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing
Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is considering modifying its subject
headings identifying Aboriginal peoples and their culture as the result of
concerns raised from many of our users about the terminology now used in
Canadian Subject Headings (CSH), and LAC's continuing use of Library of
Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) headings that include the term "Indians".
As much as possible in CSH, LAC aims to follow the policies of LCSH so as to
minimize differences between LCSH and CSH. However, differences in headings
or policy in CSH are sometimes necessary to provide appropriate subject
access to materials on Canada. LAC recognizes that, when LCSH and CSH
differ, Canadian libraries have to decide whether to follow LCSH or CSH or
use a mixture of both in their cataloguing.
LAC is proposing a phased approach to the review of the various subject
headings used for works on Aboriginal peoples. In the first phase, we would
replace existing headings for specific groups or nations and review the
names used for them. A reconsideration of the collective headings "Indians
of North America" and "Native peoples" will follow.
Proposal:
LAC will discontinue the use of the term "Indians" in subject headings for
specific Aboriginal groups or nations. For example, Nisga'a and Mohawk will
be used instead of Nisga'a Indians and Mohawk Indians in Canadian Subject
Headings and in records created by LAC.
We are interested in receiving your comments on this proposal by Monday,
February 12, 2007, please.
David Farris
Editor / Rédacteur, Canadian Subject Headings
Standards / Normes
IMO / BGI
Library and Archives Canada / Bibliothèque et Archives Canada
Comments (0)
You don't have permission to comment on this page.