We were honored to attend (and present!) at the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums’ 2014 International Conference of Indigenous Archives, Libraries, and Museums in Palm Springs, California.
The community and family atmosphere of ATALM reminded us of Convening Culture Keepers conferences, which are also grounded in professional development for tribal cultural institutions yet filled with cultural protocols, such as opening each day and meal with a prayer.
This was the first time either of us had attended ATALM, and also our first time in Palm Springs. We greatly appreciated the warm welcome and opportunity to network with so many amazing new people.
Our presentation, on Wednesday June 11th, was focused on the Convening Great Lakes Culture Keepers Regional Institute held in April of 2014. We each shared our experiences planning for and facilitating the institute and received great feedback from participants after the session. Please check out our presentation (it’s a big PDF file), and thank you to everyone who attended and those who helped along the way!
One of the highlights of the conference for us was attending Jim Enote’s Keynote address titled “A Witness to Change.” He inspired us through his dedication to his community, leadership capabilities, and simply through his own unique naming of himself as an “interrupted artist.” During his address he also asked us as audience members to stand if we oppose the naming of the Washington R-skins. The entire audience not only stood but clapped and vocally demonstrated their support of a changing of the name.
The language of this petition was, “We, the undersigned members of the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums voice our strong opposition to the racist and demeaning name and mascot, Washington R-skins, as it continues to undermine our work to conserve, preserve, and share the identity and knowledge of our Peoples.” We both found the time to sign the petition and would welcome a change not only from this team but others with equally problematic mascots.
On Thursday evening, as we reflected on our ATALM experience, we discussed the sense of urgency each person brought to the conference. While all conferences involve innovation and communal learning, at ATALM, presentations have an increased level of importance and urgency because these new ideas address essential and immediate problems that tribal communities face, such as revitalizing Native languages, learning and teaching about tribal histories, and preserving cultural knowledge.
Audience members and presenters alike are deeply invested in each discussion, and hearing each person’s passion when they share their experiences is truly inspiring. As we both soon begin our professional library careers, we hope to bring this passion with us and to find ways to stay involved with the TLAM Project and the Association for Tribal Archives, Libraries, and Museums.
A specific session that stands out in our minds was Ho’okele Na’auao: Navigating Collaborative Partnerships to Advance Indigenous Stewardship by Shavonn Matsuda, Kauwela Valeho-Novikoff, Kawena Komeiji, and Annemarie Aweau about Nā Hawai‘i ‘Imi Loa. Similar to our TLAM project but specifically within Hawai’i, these women are leading the movement to bring indigenous knowledge systems into LIS education while also providing professional development opportunities and recruiting Native peoples into library and information professions. Thank you for a lovely and informational presentation, we hope to meet with you again!
Presenting at ATALM felt like a culmination of our work as students with the TLAM project. Over the past two years we have become more informed of the information needs of tribal cultural institutions through service learning, coursework, conference planning, and building relationships with Native communities.
The TLAM Project has allowed us to further develop ourselves as information professionals through combining practical experience with our LIS education. Through sharing our experience at ATALM, we hope to inspire other LIS students and schools to embed indigenous knowledge systems into their education and programs.
Miigwech and thank you ATALM, IMLS, the Morgridge Center for Public Service, and the Brynteson Fund for allowing us to attend!
– Katelyn and Jenny
What wonder AILA members, and representatives of UW Madison and the academic pursuits of Native Americans you all are! You make us old timers very proud.