7. Somali Community Consultation, Ottawa, ON

7.1 Somali Community in Ottawa

Many members of the Somali community who live in Ottawa arrived as refugees to Canada as a consequence of civil war in Somalia. The number of arrivals was said to be "stabilizing" after an original influx of newcomers in the early 1990s. Community members noted that today, Somali heritage is represented in entirely new Canadian-born generations. The community was self-described as one in transition between settlement and integration.

Guests expressed an intense pride in and commitment to the value of the Somali language, (described as "rich and poetic" and a "source of self-esteem"), an important tie to home, legacy and origins. An attachment to the Somali language was said to be hard to foster in new generations, especially given limited opportunities for exposure. One guest pointed to the finite options for learning Somali within the university system in Canada.

Participants noted that oral communication and traditions predominate in this community, one in which information, history, and folklore have traditionally been exchanged by word of mouth rather than text; it is only recently that Somali has come into focus as a written language.

In this sense, recorded (or 'documentary') history may not be established to the extent evidenced in other communities. It was noted that this reality must be a consideration in any outreach and program development activity.

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7.2 Perspectives on Libraries and Archives

7.2.1 Libraries

Focus group members reported that libraries are "not a Somali thing." In many cases, older generations of Somalis have lacked access to formal schooling and exposure to the literacy values at the heart of Canadian library systems. As a result, they may have more difficulty integrating into the Canadian context than younger generations; isolation can be a concern in these cases. In Somalia, the elderly garner respect and reverence; the reverse was seen to be true in Canada where older generations are not included in community life in the same way. The ideological distance between Somalis born in Canada and those born in Somalia was viewed as a challenge. Participants wondered how to unite two very distinct generations with different experiences and unique relationships to Somalia.

Guests expressed concern for the next generations of Somalis, particularly those born in the Canadian context. The group struggled with some key questions: What is [youth] understanding of and connection to home? Can they possibly carry on traditions, language and legacy if they are in touch with their Somali origins in only a limited way?

How might older generations capture the attention of youth who are not always aware or interested in what has come before?

7.2.2 Libraries: Barriers to Access

At present, Somalis do not see themselves reflected in public library staff complements. One guest suggested the need to foster Somali youth employment opportunities in public library settings. Opportunities for youth volunteers were also desired. Where youth are engaged by libraries and library materials, the hope is that they in turn may introduce resources to their Somali parents, even where literacy is a challenge.

Partnerships between cultural community members and service providers were deemed necessary to foster mutual understanding and to address some of the challenges inherent in these relationships. Recently, behavioural issues relating to Somali youth visits to local public libraries led in places to conflict between library staff and some Somali families. Members of the Somali focus group reported that much harm had been done to the reputation of public libraries as a result of this kind of unpleasant interaction.

Library schedules (materials due dates) and fines were described by the community as difficult to understand and adhere to. One practical solution forwarded by a guest was for libraries to produce a dedicated 'library bag' (a memory aid for families) that allows users/students to store all borrowed library items in a single place.

Young Somali mothers who in many cases are responsible for rearing large families (at times single-handedly) face barriers to access; with many children and limited access to daycare options, these women encounter difficulty in accessing library services for themselves and their families. One guest posed the question: "How might we bring services to them?" Proposed solutions involved partnerships between library and service organizations such as the Somali Centre for Family Services, Ottawa.¹²

Both libraries and schools were seen to have a role to play in spreading the word about library services and collections. Children who learn about such services may convey the value of libraries to their parents. Information sessions with parents were recommended to raise awareness and to address inter-generational hurdles.

That the library serves as an educational tool is not always a message disseminated or understood between generations. Word of mouth is a key means for transmitting this information within the community.

7.2.3 Archives

While many Somalis maintain personal archives, formal archiving is not considered a common practice within Somali culture. The need to collect and preserve documentary heritage is a relatively new concept for Somali-Canadians. Until now, much energy has been focused on pressing settlement issues and the establishment of a Somali community in Canada. With much of this initial work accomplished, broader issues such as how best to engage with Canadian institutions and how to document the history of the community in Canada, have become a focus and new direction.

It is thought that little recorded information about the Somali-Canadian community exists but that work might be undertaken to explore the extent of these materials (given available resources). Members of the group believe that it is time to think about creating a legacy for the next generation. For this work to begin, research guidance and practical support (e.g. transportation and daycare support for researchers) are required.

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7.3 Somali-Canadian Publishing

Somali publishing is limited in Canada and Canadian-published Somali resources produced in the Somali language appear to be rare. A lack of access to mainstream publishers was cited as a significant barrier here. It was noted that dedicated resources are required to foster and sustain Somali publishing in Canada. Recent attempts to launch a Somali-Canadian magazine ended due to a lack of funding and support from mainstream publishers. However, community members identified the Somali Resource and Heritage Centre, Ottawa, as a key publishing resource within the community.¹³ The Centre is a source for published and self-published work, educational resources, and language dictionaries.

Even where Somali books and other resources are produced and/or made available in Canada, there is a perceived unevenness in the quality of these materials. Guests noted that not all members of their community would agree as to which resources were most appropriate.

7.4 Relationship with LAC

Library and Archives Canada is not well recognized within the Somali community in Ottawa; fewer than one quarter of the guests assembled knew of LAC before they were contacted for this session. The focus group was described as an introductory exchange and a "good start"; similar opportunities for collaboration have been lacking to date. Prior to the session, little was known about LAC's provision of event and cultural space. Many community members expressed interest in such opportunities after learning of these.

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7.5 Key Messages Emerging from the Somali Community Consultation

• Partnerships are essential for moving forward; meaningful "working relationships" and collaboration are desired
• To reach and serve this community, institutions need to be proactive in their outreach efforts; libraries and archives must solicit different points of view from within the community and be inclusive of Somali youth
• Libraries must strive to create a "sense of belonging" in order to welcome the Somali community; one guest spoke of a positive library experience that allowed him to access Somali resources (in this case, traditional songs) via audio
• Audio resources are especially important in a community that mobilizes around oral tradition (particularly where achieving literacy is a struggle)
• Visual displays featuring recognizable Somali materials and collections proved to be a draw for the community. Somali community members suggested that where such resources are evidenced, the community will follow; there is a strong desire to see themselves reflected in resources as well as physical library environments (it was suggested that even a simple poster featuring Somali people has meaning because it presents images that Somalis can relate to)
• The Somali community requires advice on how to approach archival research and how to develop community archives
• There is need to reach new generations of Canadian-born Somalis in innovative ways, namely via the Internet and other electronic means (given competition from video games and other media)
• A vast number of Internet resources exist about Somalia and Somalis but often traditional songs, poems and proverbs in the Somali language are inaccessible to those without this language capacity (consider, many youth born in Canada have never been exposed to the Somali language); again, audio resources distributed via the Web are described as desirable
• Making the link between libraries, archives and education is essential
• Somalis want to have a stake in local institutions (including public libraries), to feel that "this is their [organization] too"; they want to be reflected in collections but also to see themselves reflected in staff complements
• While formal, printed resources focusing on the Somali community may be rare, it was noted that many "resources in people" are located within the Somali community; expertise exists to develop community content
• LAC might play a role in connecting those interested in publishing/documenting the Somali experience in Canada with the resources to make this happen; community members wanted to know, "if Library and Archives Canada is not a direct source of funding, who is?" The community requires sponsorship to develop cultural products and resources given the difficulty of accessing mainstream Canadian publishers and advertising dollars
• Relevant communication channels must be employed to demonstrate the extent of library and archival services in the community (e.g. information about mobile library programs might be circulated)
• Libraries could help to foster access and employment opportunities for Somali youth

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7.6 Connecting with the Somali Community in Ottawa

The following were suggested as potential marketing channels to support contact with the Somali community in Ottawa:

• Community radio (in Ottawa, particularly CKCU and CHIN radio)
• Print brochures
• LAC participation in Somali community events (e.g. provision of print materials, staffing of information tables)
• Reciprocal presentation opportunities (information exchange sessions)
• Connections with community groups that speak to both youth and elders
• In-person visits to Library and Archives Canada (395 Wellington Street, Ottawa) in order to link Somali community researchers with LAC guidance and expertise
• Relationships with Somali media outlets; these channels may not be obvious (for example, local community radio is a key source of information within the community)

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12. See: http://somalifamilyservices.org/index.php

13. See: http://www.angelfire.com/ma3/somheritage/

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