This stage of the orientation is intended for students at the beginning of their program. Perhaps you have not even started your program yet, or are just at the stage of thinking about attending RRU. If so, you're in the right place!
The sections in this guide are all about supporting you to build the beginnings of a relationship with the Library and the Writing Centre, as well as our services and resources. Those relationships can help you to "make sure you are of good heart and mind" (Alphonse et al., n.d., Develop a Vision section):
‘Checking your heart’ is a critical element in the research process. It is not done only once during the project, but many times and according to different reasons. Negative elements at the source of the project could bring suffering upon everyone in the community, and the obvious source of any research project is the heart/mind of the researcher. . . . A good heart guarantees a good motive, and good motives guarantee benefits to everyone involved. (Weber-Pillwax, 1999, p. 42)
In this stage, we'll introduce ourselves to you as people and describe how we might fit into your educational journey. You'll also find information about the approach we're taking in this orientation and what you can expect as you explore further.
Confused? This guide is part 1 of a 4-stage Library & Writing Centre Orientation. Go back to the beginning.
Image by PamelaJoeMcFarlane via Getty Images
References
Alphonse, S., Charles, N., & Bell, T. (n.d.). Four feathers writing guide. Royal Roads University. https://libguides.royalroads.ca/fourfeathers
Weber-Pillwax, C. (1999). Indigenous research methodology: Exploratory discussion of an elusive subject. Journal of Educational Thought/Revue de la Pensée Éducative, 33(1), 31-45.
When developing the Library and Writing Centre orientation, we were guided by the Traditional Knowledge shared in the Four Feathers Writing Guide (Alphonse et al., n.d.) – in particular, the four Traditional stages of learning shared by Cowichan and T'Sou-ke Nations Elder Shirley Alphonse and SC’IÁNEW̱ Elder Nadine Charles.
We acknowledge with gratitude the Traditional Knowledge shared by Elders and Knowledge Keepers in the Four Feathers Writing Guide, as well as the permissions we were given to share the Traditional Knowledge. We additionally sought and obtained permission to weave the Traditional stages of learning shared in the Four Feathers Writing Guide into the structure of this orientation. The ownership of the Traditional Knowledge remains in perpetuity with the appropriate Nation(s); accordingly, the information should not be re-used without explicit permission from the Nation(s).
The Royal Roads campus is located on the traditional Lands of the Lekwungen-speaking peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt First Nations.
Image © Royal Roads University
We're intentionally trying to move away from dominant Western approaches in this orientation, and we're striving to embody the First Peoples Principles of Learning in that effort. Click on the poster if you would like to access a PDF version of the resource. For a plain text version, please visit First Peoples Principles of Learning. The First Nations Education Steering Committee is the copyright holder of this image. The image is shared here with permission; the image should not be duplicated elsewhere without specific permission from the First Nations Education Steering Committee.
Image © First Nations Education Steering Committee
References
Alphonse, S., Charles, N., & Bell, T. (n.d.). Four feathers writing guide. Royal Roads University. https://libguides.royalroads.ca/fourfeathers
First Nations Steering Committee. (n.d.). First Peoples principles of learning. http://www.fnesc.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/PUB-LFP-POSTER-Principles-of-Learning-First-Peoples-poster-11x17.pdf
What is this orientation about?
This section sets the intention for the orientation and explains our approach. We invite you to ground yourself here before moving forward.
Who are we?
Meet the librarians and writing centre staff who will support you on your educational journey at RRU.
What will you do in this orientation?
Find out what to expect from the other stages of this orientation and how they align with your studies at RRU.