Thursday, August 13, 2009

New Facebook group focuses on library services for indigenous peoples

As this is relevant both to libraries and to our "Year Of" topic, I thought I would plug it here.

IFLA SIG on Indigenous Matters
from the Facebook page

A group for those interested in library services for and with indigenous peoples. All are invited to join; you need not be an institutional or personal member of IFLA. The group includes indigenous members and those who support these issues.

The Group is one vehicle for discussion for members of the IFLA SIG on Indigenous Matters, formally established in December 2008. The SIG evolved out of IFLA Past President Alex Bryne's Presidential Task Force on Indigenous Matters, a focus on library services for the traditional owners of the land. Indigenous peoples know who they are. The IFLA SIG will host face-to-face meetings at the annual IFLA conference each summer.

Discussion threads may cover a variety of topics from news alerts to calls for papers and conference attendance. Your participation may reflect your interests, activities, and learning styles. Our goal is to promote exchange on information services for and with indigenous populations. As such, our information exchange focuses in a positive direction on services today with an eye on the future while honoring the past. As with other indigenous gatherings, we gather with respect for each other, generosity in spirit, and a desire to improve the lives of the next generation.

Dr. Loriene Roy is the first Convener of this IFLA SIG. She is Anishinabe (Ojibwe), enrolled on the White Earth Reservation, a member of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. Her father was makwa or bear clan and a member of Mississippi Band of Ojibwe. Her mother is Pembina Band.

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