Indigenous-Led, Community-Driven: Indigenous Libraries = Cultural Resilience

When
Thursday, September 08, 2022
1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Location
Zoom

Registration Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0gtERZF2SKW_ZnvS1dl8uw

Program Description:

Acting as intermediaries between academia and Indigenous communities, Indigenous library staff serve as a bridge between Western and Indigenous epistemologies. They help Indigenous learners connect “book smarts'' with Indigenous ways of knowing. As exemplified by the Arizona State University (ASU) Library’s Labriola National American Indian Data Center, library centers and programs led by Indigenous staff make libraries and archives more accessible to Indigenous populations. In this presentation, Labriola Director Alex Soto (Tohono O’odham) and Labriola student librarians/archivists Lourdes Pereira (Hia-Ced O’odham/Yoeme) and Elizabeth Quiroga (Tohono O’odham) will share how culturally-informed library/archive services can support retention, academic success, community engagement, and creative outlets for Indigenous college students.

Presenters will detail how Indigenous librarianship empowers Indigenous Peoples in the pursuit of survivance through support of individual research and scholarship, and collective cultural expression, memory-keeping, and community learning.

Presenters:

Alexander Soto (Tohono O’odham) is the Director of the Labriola National American Indian Data Center at ASU Library. Under his leadership, the Labriola Center has implemented culturally informed research support services and has Indigenized ASU’s community-driven archives initiative for tribal communities. Alex’s journey to librarianship comes after years of success as a touring hip-hop musician/educator and activist. Alex co-authored ASU Library’s first land acknowledgement statement. He received his M.A. in Library and Information Science from the University of Arizona and received his B.S. in American Indian Studies from Arizona State University.

Lourdes Pereira (Hia-Ced O’odham/Yoeme) is a senior at ASU, a student archivist at the Labriola National American Indian Data Center, and community archivist for the Hia-Ced O’odham LLC. She is majoring in Justice Studies and American Indian Studies. Lourdes is a fierce advocate for Indigenous intellectual property rights and plans to attend law school to support Indigenous communities in asserting control over their cultural material. She views community-driven archives as a source of empowerment for Indigenous communities.

Elizabeth Quiroga is a member of the Tohono O’odham Nation from Cukut Kuk District. She is a senior at ASU majoring in American Indian Studies. Elizabeth is a student archivist at the Labriola National American Indian Data Center. She manages Labriola’s social media platforms, assists in developing new community events, and hosting ongoing Labriola events. She is passionate about working with tribal communities, especially O’odham communities.

Arizona Library Association

Building Strong Libraries Together

7760 E State Route 69 Ste C5 #385
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

(928) 288-2011
admin@azla.org

Android App IOS App