Bridge Building, Intersectionality and Inclusion

Panel

The History and Currency of Tribal Libraries: Sovereignty, Information, and Empowerment

Panel Organizer(s)

• SL

  Sandy Littletree

  PhD Candidate
  University of Washington

Panel Presenter(s)

• AL

  Aaron LaFromboise

  Director of Library Services
  Blackfeet Community College

Tribal libraries in the United States have become sites of cultural and language renewal, gathering places, and places to collect, preserve, and share Indigenous knowledge. They have become important sites of decolonization and places where sovereignty and self-determination are paramount. Tribal libraries are relatively recent tools that Native (and non-Native) people have begun to employ to collect, preserve, and transmit Indigenous knowledge for current and future generations. Despite the important role these institutions play in many Native communities, their presence is relatively unknown in the library world. This presentation will trace the history and development of tribal libraries based on Interviews and archival research. An understanding of these historical and current intersections is crucial to provide context to design and support information systems from Indigenous positions.

 

Learning Objectives:

• Reflect upon the impact of colonization, Indian education, self-determination, and sovereignty on tribal library development
• Reflect on their own understanding of historical and contemporary library services to Native Americans
• Discuss possible programs that can work in any community, and on any budget.