The Wikimedia Movement in Canada Communities, Institutions, and Open Culture

This book explores the unique role of Canadians in Wikimedia platforms, highlighting the complexities of participation in a nation defined by linguistic, cultural, and regional diversity. Despite challenges posed by limited data on contributors, it shows how the ideals of open culture, collaboration, and knowledge-sharing are shaping Canada’s digital landscape.

The text is structured around three key themes: First, it examines identity through contributions in English, French, and Atikamekw, addressing issues of diversity, representation, and inclusivity, with case studies on Acadian representation and gender balance in Wikidata. The second theme focuses on institutional partnerships, illustrating how collaborations like those between Wikimedia Canada and the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec promote accessible knowledge sharing. Lastly, it delves into the literacies involved in Wikimedia projects—digital, legal, and algorithmic—and their impact on both amateur and professional contributors, underscoring the movement’s educational and societal significance.

About the Author

Jean-Michel Lapointe is digital education project manager at Université du Québec à Montréal. A Wikipedian since 2014 and a former academic librarian and teacher, he promotes the educational use of Wikimedia projects in higher education settings. Marie D. Martel is an associate professor at the École de bibliothéconomie et des sciences de l’information at the Université de Montréal. A specialist in libraries and open culture, she is also involved in research and outreach projects related to Wikimedia platforms. She has been a Wikipedian since 2010.

With contributions by Stacy Allison-Cassin, Gabriel Arsenault, Nathalie Casemajor, Pierre Lévy, Denise Smith, Nathalie Thibault, Miguel Tremblay, Simon Villeneuve, and Mathieu Wade.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0). It may be reproduced for non-commercial purposes, provided that the original author is credited.