Decolonial Little Library

Indigenous stories For Good.

Decolonial Little Library, founded in 2023, is an Indigenous-led, family project based in Hamilton that creates small, accessible libraries dedicated exclusively to Indigenous-authored stories for children, families, and community members.

The Decolonial Little Library is an Indigenous take on the Free Little Library concept, grounded in Indigenous teachings of reciprocity, shared stewardship, and collective responsibility.

  • Guided by the Dish With One Spoon: Our project follows the Dish With One Spoon wampum, which teaches that we all share responsibility for the land, water, and each other. The Decolonial Little Library reflects this teaching and is a shared resource held in trust by the community.

  • The Collection: We offer a curated selection of Indigenous-authored books and resources, including works for children, youth, and adults.

  • The Space: Libraries are placed in community spaces where families already gather and feel welcome. They are living, relational spaces that encourage reflection, dialogue, and connection through story.

Expansion: Our initial expansion will launch new community-hosted library sites across Hamilton in June to recognize National Indigenous History Month. Our physical libraries are housed in repurposed publisher newspaper boxes, currently being sourced.

Who We Are

Decolonial Little Library is stewarded by Madeline Wilson Shaw, a Haudenosaunee mother and advocate for intergenerational healing, and Ryan McMahon, an Anishinaabe writer and storyteller. The project is grounded in family and community care and a commitment to embedding reconciliation into everyday life.

Why We Do This: Impact, Access, and Reconciliation

Indigenous stories bring us further, faster. Access to Indigenous stories, languages, and ways of knowing is limited in many community spaces. The Decolonial Little Library is a practical tool for systemic change, driving impact across three key areas:

  • Increase Access: We increase access to Indigenous-authored literature and storytelling traditions.

  • Support Intergenerational Learning: We foster intergenerational learning and cultural continuity through self-directed, relational education rooted in lived experience.

  • Drive Social Change: We centre storytelling as a practical tool for learning, empathy, and social change.

Our Li creates low-barrier, non-institutional entry points to reconciliation. The project aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action related to Indigenous language, culture, and education, including Calls to Action 13–15, 62–63, and 92(iii).