FALL COURSE REGISTRATION OPEN!
About the Course:

Come learn alongside your library peers about Idaho’s federally recognized tribal nations. Past, present, and future perspectives will be explored. Learn how public and school libraries can partner with, better serve, curate accurate materials, and celebrate Indigenous peoples and cultures. The course was created in partnership with Mandi Harris, Cherokee Nation citizen, former Coeur d’Alene children’s librarian, current doctoral student at the University of Washington, and recipient of the distinguished Spectrum Doctoral Fellowship “Catalysts for Change.” This free course is four weeks in length and will utilize a blend of independent learning/reading via the ICfL’s Niche Academy, paired with four online, live meetings for discussions and local presenters. The live webinars will be co-facilitated by Kristina Taylor and Mandi Harris.

Course Timeline/Participant Commitment:
  • Registration: Aug 1 – Sept 29
  • Course starts (Niche Academy modules become available): Sept 30
  • Course info session (to answer registered participant questions about course navigation/details): Oct 2 from 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. (Mtn) via Zoom
  • Course length: Oct 2 – Nov with weekly live, webinars on:
    • Tues, Oct 10, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30- p.m. (Mtn) – Speaker/topic: Author Dr. LaNada War Jack on the Bannock War, the Sheepeater Campaign, and the impacts on federal Indian policy
    • Wed, Oct 18, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30- p.m. (Mtn) – Speaker/topic: Danielle Scott, University of Idaho Extension educator on customized 4-H curriculum with focus on Nez Perce knowledge and on how to better communicate with Indigenous populations for better outcomes
    • Mon, Oct 23, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30- p.m. (Mtn) – Speaker/topic: Harry Slickpoo Jr. on nimipuutimt (Nez Perce) language program, the return of the  Wetxuuwiitin collection at the Nez Perce National Historical Park, and his work to establish the new Hite’emenwees Research Library
    • Wed, Nov 1, 12:30 p.m. – 1:30- p.m. (Mtn) – Speaker/topic: Dr. Julie Poynsenby, staff member of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s Department of Education, will present on their Summer Youth Internship and Voices to Hear programs.

(Note, it is best for participants to be able to attend all 4 live webinars, but we understand that 100% attendance may not be possible and encourage potential participants to still register if they can make the majority of the webinars and watch the partial recordings afterwards – see details below.)

Course Objectives:
  • To increase understanding by Idaho library staff of the world’s Indigenous cultures, both historic and current, with an emphasis on the five federally recognized tribes located in present-day Idaho.
  • To foster and increase relationships and partnerships between Idaho libraries and Idaho tribes and Indigenous peoples.
  • To create Idaho library services, materials, and programs that are high-quality, relevant, and accurate regarding Native peoples, cultures, and histories.
  • To improve library communication, promotion, membership, and outreach efforts with members of Idaho’s tribes and other organizations that serve native peoples.
Registration Details:
  • Participants are encouraged to commit to attending all four live webinars, to be held weekly beginning Oct 9 and ending Nov 1.
  • Live presenters during webinars will be recorded. Open discussion amongst participants after the presentations during the webinars, will NOT be recorded.
  • This third round of the course is limited to 30 participants on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be given to Idaho library staff currently working in an Idaho public or school library. (NOTE: This  course is only offered once per fiscal year. The next course will be offered in Fall of 2024.)
  • Participants who complete the course will receive 10 new hardcover books for their library collection written and/illustrated by Indigenous authors/artists. Up to 2 library staff from the same library/branch may register for the course. If more than one staff member from the same library completes the course, the library will only receive 1 set of these books. Books will be for a range of ages – children through young adult and can be customized for each library.
  • The course should take approximately 3 hours of your time per week, for 4 weeks. The 4 modules in Niche Academy can be completed in about 2 hours each (though you could spend much more time exploring linked resources) and the webinars are 1 hour each week.
  • Registration open: August 1 – September 29
  • Register here

Questions? Contact Kristina Taylor, ICfL Youth Services Project Coordinator.