Honouring Indigenous Writers on Wikipedia 2021

Wikipedia is a multilingual, web-based, free encyclopedia based on a model of open community-generated knowledge. However, well-documented systematic bias including, information gaps, exclusions, diversity of articles and editors, and assumptions about neutrality and notability greatly impacts the information that can be found in an information source with millions of views per day. Since 2019, the Honouring Indigenous Writers on Wikipedia event has sought to improve the coverage of Indigenous writers on Wikipedia and to encourage diverse community editors to actively work to dissuade assumptions about Indigenous literature by raising their profile in this increasingly influential information source. This year, instead of our annual in-person Wikipedia Edit-a-thon we have put together a challenge bank of Wikipedia-related activities designed to be easily accessed and doable online with more flexibility and whenever you have time. We have also organized exciting virtual events throughout the month of March including author readings with Smokii Sumac (in conversation with Daniel Heath Justice), a children’s author reading with Richard Van Camp, as well as an author reading with Marilyn Dumont, co-organized by our partner, the University of Alberta Library. We will also be offering Wikipedia editing sessions and drop-ins, as well as a panel discussion on using Wikipedia for public scholarship. You can read more about these events and how to register on our events page. We are also excited to be hosting a book club featuring Tenille K. Campbell’s forthcoming book of poetry, nedi nezu (Good Medicine). The book will be available March 2, 2021, and can be pre-ordered from our event partner, Iron Dog Books. Grab your copy, read it throughout March, and then join Tenille K. Campbell and special guests on March 24th, 2021 from 7:00pm-8:30pm PST for a reading and discussion. Check out the HIW website for more information about how you can attend events and how you can contribute to increasing the representation of Indigenous writers on Wikipedia.