Libraries as a part of the Revitalization of Indigenous Languages and Cultures: Services, Collections, and Initiatives

Americas Subcommittee Panel: Libraries in the Americas are engaging in a wide array of work to deliver services to Indigenous communities, provide access to the literary output of Indigenous authors, and engage in the revitalization of Indigenous languages and cultures in the Americas. According to the United Nations, Indigenous Nations have sought acknowledgment of their identity, ways of life, rights to the land, and natural resources. Nonetheless, Indigenous people continue to be a part of a vulnerable community. Our presentation seeks to highlight the activist role libraries can play; that although small, it is relevant for serving these communities by advancing the work of Indigenous authors, and advancing cultural sovereignty by empowering indigenous communities to be the stewards of their own collections.

The audience will hear about the Universidad Nacional de Comahue’s work to create the Biblioteca Mapuche y Pueblos Originarios Ñimi Quimün in 2007, an initiative that builds a connection between the university and the Indigenous community (comunidad urbana Elel Quimun). The audience will also learn about the University of British Columbia’s advocacy work for Indigenous communities through the Xwi7xwa (‘whei-wah) Library. This library is a center for academic and community Indigenous scholarship with collections that consider approaches to teaching and learning from an Indigenous perspective. The collection includes graphic novels, films, curriculum resources, and literature. Similarly, the Universidad de la Frontera in Chile offers a digital library containing the "Centro Documentación Indígena," a collection of texts covering the Mapuche society and culture. Several of these texts are in the Mapuche language.

In addition, the D’Arcy McNickle Center at the Newberry hosts a summer institute for indigenous university students to work with the Edward E. Ayer Collection of materials about and by indigenous peoples. Furthermore, the Newberry has twice hosted a blessing ceremony with Mayan priests from Guatemala for the Popul Vuh. Correspondingly, the University of Colorado Boulder is building a Latin American Indigenous Languages and Cultures collection highlighting the literary work of Indigenous authors.

Lastly, the audience will hear from the experiences of two guest speakers, Alex Soto and Daniel Canosa. Alex Soto, Director of the Labriola National American Indian Data Center at Arizona State University Library, will share his experience promoting Indigenous-informed research support, community-driven archives services, and culturally appropriate events such as the Labriola Book Award series, Open Mic nights, and LoFi Hip Hop music study sessions. Daniel Canosa, an Argentinian librarian, will discuss library services to Indigenous communities such as recollection of oral tradition, creation of collections to record Indigenous language, and bilingual education initiatives.

Finally, members of the audience will engage in a question and answer session with the presenters allowing for a lively critical dialog.