LibGuides: All Nations LibGuide: Introduction

Purpose

"Librarians will continue to ensure that everyone has equal access to information. It is one of the tenets of librarianship, and it is something that we are here to do as trusted service professionals in our communities."
—Cindy Hohl, Dakota of the Santee Sioux Nation, American Library Association President 2024-2025

The All Nations resource guide highlights the impact of Indigenous Librarianship and the importance of serving the library and information needs of Indigenous and Native peoples. It contains information on equitable access to information, literacy, welcoming spaces, and sustainability for future generations of library staff and patrons. The collection of resources throughout the guide are primarily Indigenous-centric and includes scholarly works from allies and non-Native librarians in tribal and mainstream libraries. As sovereign nations, the guide includes references to treaties and federal and state resources.

This introductory page features a guide on terminology, allyship, stereotypes, and land acknowledgments, as well as digital maps for use in learning and teaching and an informative video on why treaties matter.

Terminology Style Guide

The content in this libguide has been created using the terminology style guide created by the Native Governance Center, to ensure that all language used is mindful of the experiences of all native peoples. The full guide is available at the following link: Terminology Style Guide

Avoiding Harmful Stereotypes

Native American Stereotypes and Mascots Harm All of Us From the Association on American Indian Affairs, formed in 1922, it is the oldest non-profit protecting Native Sovereignty, cultural preservation, youth education, and community development.
Dispelling Common Myths about Indian Country Guide From the Native Governance Center "This resource guide is intended to create an awareness of representations of citizens of Native nations to provide allies and accomplices with information that will help shift the narrative of Indian Country away from harmful stereotypes to positive images, recognition, and appreciation."

Image from the Native Governance Center

"Acknowledging the land and the people who have always called it home encourages students to think about the significance of place, and the continued existence of Indigenous people." —The Burke Museum

NPR | Why Treaties Matter

Why Treaties Matter

National Public Radio (NPR): As part of the Story Lab project, correspondents traveled to meet with Tribal scholars, leaders, and people from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Michigan at the National Congress of American Indians. Their conversations with Tribal legal experts focused on treaties as foundational, living documents that continue to shape Native governance and sovereignty.

Tribal Legal Experts:

Andrea Carmen, Yaqui Nation, International Indian Treaty Council, Executive Director

Frank Ettawageshik, Citizen of the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, Tribal Historian, Activist, United Tribes of Michigan, Executive Director

Jill Doerfler, White Earth Anishinaabe Descendant, Associate Professor of American Indian Studies, University of Minnesota, Duluth

Jodi Archambault Gillette, Hunkpapa/Oglala Lakota, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Former advisor to President Obama

Mary Kathryn Nagle, Cherokee Nation, Playwright and Partner at Pipestem Law

Walter Echohawk, Pawnee Nation, Attorney, Tribal Judge, Author, Law Professor

W. Ron Allen, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, National Congreee of American Indians, Chair/CEO and Treasurer

Allyship

Honor With Action: 10 Ways to be an Ally to Indigenous Peoples Greenpeace USA
Being an ally to Indigenous people Queen's University

Toolkit & Guides from the Field

A Guide to Indigenous Land Acknowledgement
From The Native Governance Center, a Native-led nonprofit organization, works to support Native nations in enhancing their governance structures and building the capacity to exercise their sovereign rights.
Indigenous Initiatives Land Acknowledgement
From Western University in Canada, this resource offers Land Acknowledgements in part recognizing Indigenous Peoples as an ongoing presence in educational settings.
Land Acknowledgement Toolkit
From the Kansas Association of Native American Educators. Constructing
What Does a Land Acknowledgement Mean to You?
A downloadable PDF From the Native American and Indigenous Peoples Steering Group at Northwestern

Author

L. Marie Avila, MLS | Enrolled: Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians | Freelance Librarian-Researcher

Native Land Digital
From Digital Democracy, "The map is a living document, informed by the contributions of Indigenous communities, Indigenous knowledge holders and their stories. It does not claim to represent official or legal boundaries. We encourage you to connect directly with the Indigenous nations to learn more about their territories and histories." Data layers include mapping Indigenous Languages and Territories

Native land Digital Teacher's Guide
From Digital Democracy - Supplemental Teaching Material

IFLA Library Map of the World
Selected library performance metrics provide national level library data across all types of libraries in all regions of the world. Adjust map view settings to search by country and explore worldwide totals.

Invasion of America Map
Developed by the University of Georgia, The Invasion of America map is an interactive digital tool that visualizes the loss of Indigenous land in the United States over time. Created using historical Treaty data, it allows users to explore how Native land was systematically taken through Treaties, executive orders, and other legal mechanisms from 1776 to the present.