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G2S Project Code: 2021-MN-90283
State: Minnesota
Fiscal Year: 2021
Grantee
State Library Services - Minnesota Department of Education

Project Director
Director Name: Tamara Lee
Director Phone: 651-582-8311
Director Email: tamara.lee@state.mn.us
General Information
Title: ARPA: Indigenous Representations Project
State Project Code:
Start Date: 10/01/2020
End Date: 09/30/2022
Abstract: The Indigenous Representations project connected Minnesota library staff, educators, students and other interested parties with thoughtfully curated books by and about Native Americans. In partnership with the Office of Indian Education and other partners (Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College; St. Cloud State University; and Birchbark Books), State Library Services was able to provide instruction, library materials, guidance, and professional development for teachers and students working in/attending schools with a majority indigenous student population.

Part of this initiative was to create a Native Arts Steering Committee to provide authentic leadership and guidance for this project. The Steering committee provided guidance for all of the projects including identifying and refining resources, preliminary selection of materials, direction of events, and participated in community of practice activities.


State Goal: Library services and policies promote barrier-free access
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$99,764.05
$0.00
$0.00
$99,764.05
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.
Education
Curriculum support
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Birchbark books
Narrative: State Library services worked with Birchbark books, a local, Indigenous owned, bookstore to purchase a core collection for each of the schools participating in this project.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 416
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6–12 years
13–17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 12
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Targeted grants to schools
Narrative:

Minnesota State Library Services offered targeted grant funds for the purpose of helping to achieve Minnesota’s LSTA Five-Year Plan (2018-2022), Goal C: Libraries respond to diverse community needs, and in order to increase educational belonging for American Indian students in the state of Minnesota. The focus of these targeted grant opportunities is to provide service to a population that is underserved by the state’s school libraries. American Indian students need to see themselves accurately and authentically reflected in their schools’ libraries and curriculums.



Intent: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.

Activity: Content
Mode: Acquisition
Format: Physical


Quantity
Number of hardware acquired: 0
Number of software acquired: 0
Number of licensed databases acquired: 0
Number of print materials (books & government documents) acquired: 3,404
Number of electronic materials acquired: 0
Number of audio/visual units (audio discs, talking books, other recordings) acquired: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6–12 years
13–17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: No
Specific Locations: Yes
Name: Cass Lake - Bena, ISD115 (ALC)
Address: 208 Central Ave NW
City: Cass Lake
State: MN
Zip: 56633
Name: Cass Lake - Bena, ISD115 (Elementary)
Address: 208 Central Ave NW
City: Cass Lake
State: MN
Zip: 56633
Name: Cass Lake - Bena, ISD115 (High School)
Address: 208 Central Ave NW
City: Cass Lake
State: MN
Zip: 56633
Name: Cass Lake - Bena, ISD115 (Middle School)
Address: 208 Central Ave NW
City: Cass Lake
State: MN
Zip: 56633
Name: Deer River Elementary
Address: PO Box 307
City: Deer River
State: MN
Zip: 56636-0307
Name: Deer River High School
Address: PO Box 307
City: Deer River
State: MN
Zip: 56636-0307
Name: Kelliher Public School-ISD 36
Address: 345 4th St NW
City: Kelliher
State: MN
Zip: 56650-0259
Name: Nay Ah Shing Schools (Elementary/Middle/HS)
Address: 43651 Oodena Drive
City: Onamia
State: MN
Zip: 56359
Name: Northland Community Schools ISD 118
Address: 316 Main Street East
City: Remer
State: MN
Zip: 56672
Name: Red Lake (Elementary and Middle) Public School-ISD 38
Address: 23990 Hwy 1 E
City: Red Lake
State: MN
Zip: 56671
Name: Trek North High School
Address: 2400 Pine Ridge Ave NW
City: Bemidji
State: MN
Zip: 56601-2110
Activity Details
Title: Community of Practice support
Narrative: State Library Services worked with Indigenous Representations committee members and other organizations/agencies to develop and support a group of k-12 educators. This community of practice was facilitated by Indigenous staff from St. Cloud State University, Fond du Lac Tribal college, and State Library Services staff.  Besides a kickoff event, six meetings were planned and executed for elementary educators and six were planned and executed for secondary educators. Some of the themes for these meetings were: MN history, contemporary life, Native Pride, etc... Speakers that are local to the participating schools were also brought in to speak on student engagement and other topics.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Program
Format: Combined in-person & virtual


Quantity
Session length (minutes): 90
Number of sessions in program: 13
Average number in attendance per session: 24
Number of times program administered: 13


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6–12 years
13–17 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 12
Other: 0
Question 1: I learned something by participating in this library activity.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 2: I feel more confident about what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 3: I intend to apply what I just learned.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 4: I am more aware of resources and services provided by the library.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Question 5: I am more likely to use other library resources and services.
Strongly Agree: 0
Agree: 0
Neither Agree nor Disagree: 0
Disagree: 0
Strongly Disagree: 0
Non-Response: 0
Activity Details
Title: Educator workshop with Indigenous librarian Debbie Reese
Narrative:

Dr. Debbie Reese delivered a 60-minute presentation on thetopic of analyzing children's literature for Indigenous cultural authenticity.This event took place on Saturday, May 21 from 9am-1pm Central. The eventwas hosted virtually by State Library Services. There were approximately 50 people in attendance.



Intent: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Presentation/performance
Format: Virtual


Quantity
Presentation/performance length (minutes): 280
Number of presentations/performances administered: 1
Average number in attendance per session: 50


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 18–25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 1
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 12
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Nothing about us without us
Narrative:

State Library Services identified a need to have authentic leadership and guidance for this initiative. State Library Services decided to incorporate Indigenous leaders from around the state of Minnesota in the initiative. The Indigenous Representations and Native Arts Steering Committees was created to provide this guidance.

The Indigenous Representations/Native Arts Steering Committees was formed to provide guidance and leadership for the Indigenous Representations project. The committee met monthly between9/2021-12/2022 and assisted all Indigenous representations project participants in identifying and developing resources, selection of materials, and content creation. The committee was able to draft essential understandings and considerations for this learning and other resources to support every K-12student in Minnesota learn about the contributions of Minnesota American Indian Tribes and communities. The committee was available to answer questions and provide guidance to program participants as they planned and executed programming and lesson plans; made materials purchases, and encountered challenges.

The committee consisted of:

·  Elizabeth “Lyz” Jaakola, Fond du Lac Band tribal member -Educator

·  Darlene St. Clair, Lower Sioux (Mdewakantunwan Dakota) - Educator

·  Ramona Kitto Stately, Santee Sioux, Dakota Nation

·  Odia Wood-Krueger, Métis -Educator

·  Allicia Waukau-Butler, Menominee and Navajo - Librarian

·  Rita Walaszek Arndt, Polish descent and White Earth Ojibwe -Educator

·  Sam Zimmerman, Grand Portage Band Direct Descendant-Educator




Intent: Improve users’ ability to participate in their community.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: Other
Other: The Indigenous Representation/Native Arts Committee provided guidance and instruction to all aspects of this project. Consulting, content creation, and leadership for this project were provided.


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 49
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 4


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Rural
For what age groups: 0-5 years
6–12 years
13–17 years
18–25 years
26-49 years
50-59 years
60-69 years
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Indian
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: No
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 12
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
There continues to be a high level of interest in this topic from librarians and educators statewide. State Library Services is continuing the effort to refine resource lists, build collections, collaborate with other state agencies to expand services, and provide materials access for native populations.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
SLS will continue to explore opportunities for presenting on this topic, addressing library staff as well as frequent library partners (e.g. school districts, literacy organizations, etc.). SLS will also look for opportunities to provide presentations and trainings on this topic to audiences outside of the Twin Cities metropolitan area including targeted grants.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
Regardless of the visibility of Native Nations in any given community, all libraries in the United States are located in traditional Indigenous land. Libraries are responsible for providing accurate information, and this needs to include information about the historical and sociopolitical contexts in which libraries exist. The audience for this project expands well beyond libraries. In being leaders on this and similar projects that focus on truth-telling and racial equity, libraries can better position themselves as visible, national leaders in this space.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: