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Decolonization and Allyship: The Downie Wenjack Legacy Room

Visiting the Downie-Wenjack Legacy Space

The Chanie Wenjack Collection is located in the Downie - Wenjack Legacy Space on the first floor of the library, next to the staircase. This collection contains education resources related to residential schools and reconciliation. 

Books and audiovisual materials (videos and CD's) housed with this collection can be borrowed for 7 days.

Search for resources in this collection by entering the code CBCWC in the Novanet Catalogue on our website.

What is the Downie Wenjack Legacy Spaces Program?

Created by The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, this video introduces the story of Chanie Wenjack, a 12 year old Anishinaabe boy who ran away from the Cecilia Jeffrey Indian Residential School attempting to reunite with his family. Chanie's body was found beside the railway tracks on October 22,1966, a week after he fled. 

The goal of the Legacy Space program is to provide information about the history of Indigenous Peoples, Residential Schools, Reconciliation and the story of Chanie Wenjack. The spaces are meant to be safe and welcoming places where conversations about the past, present and future are facilitated and encouraged. They also serve as symbols and reminders for employees, clients, students and guests of the important work each of us needs to do if the promises of this country are to be fulfilled.

The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund. (2021, February 3). About the DWF Legacy Spaces Program [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/E4CqyZ1UT-E

Request an Item

To place a hold or request on a book or other physical item in the library: 

  1. Sign into "My Library Account"
  2. Search Novanet
  3. Under "Get It," click on "Request" 
  4. Choose a "Pick Up Location" and, if applicable, the date the item is "Not Needed After."
  5. Click on "Send Request"

Note: If Cape Breton University's Library doesn't have the item, it is possible to request material via Interlibrary Loan. 

Digitization

If you need just a chapter or a small portion (up to 10%) of one of our paper books, we can scan it and  send it to you electronically! 

  1. Sign into "My Library Account"
  2. Search for the item in Novanet
  3. Select the "Digitization" option and follow the instructions. 

You can expect the digital copy of the requested material in 3-5 business days after the request has been submitted.