February 3, 2009

The morning session of International Indigenous Librarians’ Forum (ILLF) took place in the nearby Rangiatea church. Kim Lawson from Canada gave an update on the thesaurus work at the Xwi7xwa Library and continuing work on indigenous knowledge organization with a larger, international  group.

Dr. Te Kani Kingi’s presentation was titled,”Professional & Indigenous: The Cultural Interface.” He asked, “what does it mean to  be indigenous” and described an indigenous knowledge system as a unique way of explaining the world and reality. He covered indigenous aspects of well-being.

I was the second keynote presenter, giving an overview of my experiences during an American Library Association (ALA) Presidential year.  As with other speakers, I was gifted with a beautiful kete (handmade flax basket). My summary remarks  were as follows. A person of color taking a leadership role might find that:

  1. You will receive help but not always from expected or logical sources.
  2. You are ever the teacher.
  3. People may suspect your decisions.
  4. You do have to feel as though you are twice as good.
  5. Ideas are a dime a dozen. It is action that counts.
  6. People will treat you-kindly, for the most part, not so kindly in other respects.
  7. People from your past will come back.

The afternoon of the third day of the Forum was devoted to discussion. Delegates voted to support a proposal for a satellite meeting for the 2010 International Federation of Library Associations (IFLA) World Congress in Australia. Delegates are also interested in knowing more about communication related to the IFLA Special Interest Group on Indigenous
matters. The Forum Dinner was held on the Te Wanango-o-Raukawa campus with a two-hour musical performance and invited guests.