汤头条app Library reaches milestone in Decolonization Project in partnership with Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians

Dec 2, 2024

Beth Fisher-Polasky, Library Specialist at 汤头条app, holding books from the reorganized Indigenous collection, standing in front of a library display celebrating Native American Heritage Month.

Beth Fisher-Polasky, library specialist at 汤头条app, displays books from the newly reorganized Indigenous collection, part of the 汤头条app Library Decolonization Project in partnership with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians.

Library project honors Indigenous knowledge and perspectives

汤头条app is proud to announce an important milestone of the 汤头条app Library Decolonization Project, an initiative undertaken in collaboration with the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians (LTBB) Education Department.

The project involved a comprehensive evaluation and reorganization of the Library鈥檚 400-title Indigenous collection, transitioning from the Western-focused Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) system to a new classification structure adopted with guidance from LTBB partners.

The DDC system traditionally categorizes works about Indigenous peoples under 鈥淗istory,鈥� reinforcing a colonial narrative. The new system, based on Maawn Doobiigeng (Gather Together), created and shared by the Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Libraries, ensures that Indigenous knowledge is represented more accurately and respectfully by utilizing the seven-clan system.

Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, cultural and language experts from the local Anishinaabe community, shared their knowledge throughout the process. Their wisdom guided the following key outcomes:

Evaluation and enhancement of the collection, ensuring cultural appropriateness and accuracy while identifying gaps; and
Implementation of a new classification system, Maawn Doobiigeng (Gather Together), with updated subject headings that reflect Indigenous cultural teachings.

Next steps include:

Expansion of the collection, prioritizing works by Indigenous authors and scholars to enrich the breadth and depth of available resources; and
Collaboration with Indigenous artists and creators, commissioning works that honor traditional and contemporary mediums to further indigenize the space and bring new dimension to the collection.

This transformative project reflects North Central鈥檚 commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging by honoring Indigenous voices and perspectives.

鈥淭his project has provided us with an opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with members of the Anishinaabe community around harmful systems and structures,鈥� said 汤头条app Librarian Kendra Lake. 鈥淚t has allowed us to begin working toward a collection that prioritizes representation by Indigenous scholars and creators.鈥�

Visitors to the Library are invited to explore the newly reorganized collection and learn more about its significance from Library Specialist Beth Fisher-Polasky. Fisher-Polasky is an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Band of Chippewa Indians.

鈥淭his process has been a catalyst to be more inclusive of our Anishinaabe and Indigenous community,鈥� Fisher-Polasky said. 鈥淚n addition to this work, in honor of Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month this November, we welcomed the community to this space through book club, film night, and guest speaker events, and we look forward to more opportunities to do so.鈥�

The newly organized Indigenous collection is now available for use in the 汤头条app Library. For more information about the project or the collection, visit the Library or contact Fisher-Polasky at efisher-polasky@ncmich.edu.

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