The UBCIC Library is a specialized research library and archives focusing on BC land rights research. We serve all researchers who have a Band Council Resolution (BCR) to conduct research on behalf of a First Nation. Researchers are always welcome, but please call ahead so reference staff and equipment times can be booked for you. Scholars, students, and other researchers may also use the Resource Centre with permission and after agreeing to abide by our Ethical Research Policy. We are a non-lending library, except for UBCIC staff and by special agreement.
RG10 microfilm reels available online
The Héritage project has digitized many RG10 and other microfilm reels. These are available on their website at no charge to users. Type the microfilm reel number into the search box to check if the reel is available online.
Library and Archives Canada has digitized microfilm reels available online, also at no charge. If your research search results include digitized records, this will show in those search results. If you want to search for a specific microfilm reel, from the Collections Search page, click on Advanced search. Select "Collections and Fonds (Archives Search)" in the Database field, and then “Microfilm” in the Specific terms field and type in the microfilm reel number.
Collections
An extensive collection of books and periodicals is available in the library. In addition to print materials, the UBCIC Resource Centre also holds many records of the Department of Indian Affairs (RG10) on microfilm. The UBCIC created a finding aid for these materials and they can also be searched through the National Archives of Canada website. Please check our list of RG10 holdings to confirm we have the reels you need.
A new legal research collection in honour of Louise Mandell and her contributions to Indigenous peoples and the law has been developed. This collection includes both a physical collection housed in the Resource Centre which can be accessed through the library catalogue and a digital collection available through the UBCIC website. This collection will continue to expand and evolve as new elements are added including an oral testimony project of video interviews. Fundraising for this collection is ongoing and we do accept online donations. The foyer of the Resource Centre has also been converted into a new gallery space and our first exhibit documents keys cases in Louise's career and her work with the UBCIC.
In 2012, the UBCIC Resource Centre accepted a very large donation from retired environmental consultant John Jemmett. His extensive collection of thousands of books, papers, and articles doubled the volume of print material in the library. This collection, which includes works across the entire spectrum of environmental studies and natural sciences, will be very useful to anyone involved with aquatic resources, forestry, wildlife management, energy development or environmental assessment, management and protection. In 2013, a large volume of materials were received from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) libraries that were closed. We are in the process of making the DFO discards accessible and they are being integrated into our collections as they are catalogued and classified into our new classification scheme.
The archival records of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs are also housed in the Resource Centre. These consist of the historical documents, publications, maps, posters, images, documentary films, and audio and video recordings created and received by the UBCIC since its inception in 1969. We are currently in the process of organizing these materials and creating finding aids to make them more accessible to researchers. Some of these materials are available on the Internet in our digital collections.
Policies and Services
Please read our User Policy and Ethical Research Policy before making a research appointment.
Other forms and service information
Fee Schedule: for reproduction services
Permissions Application and Agreement: to apply for permission to use UBCIC documents, images, or recordings for publication or commercial use
Institutional membership information and application form: for organizations interested in having access to our collections
Hours
The Library and Archives is open by appointment only from Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 3:45 pm.
The Library and Archives regularly closes on the following days:
- During Chiefs Councils and Annual General Assemblies, as well as the day following these meetings
- All British Columbia statutory holidays
- National Aboriginal Day
We may close with little notice. Our apologies for any inconvenience.
Contact
You can contact the Library and Archives by phone at 604.684.0231 or by email at [email protected]