Building Indigenous Practitioner Community

An Indigenous library employee or student may find themselves in an environment without additional Indigenous colleagues and in need of support and mentorship. Often there is a highly colonial work environment that a new Indigenous library professional will have to deal with and this will create discomfort. As well, Indigenous students in information schools (including library and archival programs) will likely encounter some hegemonic situations due to universities being colonial institutions, as well as the lack of Indigenization within program curricula. The IKSC wishes to facilitate a sense of belonging for Indigenous peoples in  information studies and the professions. This is being realized through initiatives such as the Oskâpêwis Mentorship program and an information professional certification scholarship.