COPPUL Webinar: Indigenous Internship programs in Academic Libraries

July 17, 2024

The Indigenous Knowledge Standing Committee (IKSC) is pleased to be hosting a conversation with librarians and MLIS students about their Indigenous internship programs. In this event you will hear from the librarians who supervise the students and from 4 current or recently graduated interns.  

While this is a COPPUL-IKSC event, we welcome attendees from outside COPPUL membership, including public and special libraries. Please share this event with your networks. Registration is required for this event; please see below for details and registration link. This event will be recorded and posted for viewing shortly after it has concluded.

Session Information
Title: Indigenous Internship programs in Academic Libraries 
Date & Time: August 15, 2024, 1pm-2:30pm PDT 
Registration link: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwkf-Cppj4uGNdiJQaKpwn_w2b44wZwWirU

Speakers (Click their names to learn more about them)

Anne Carr-Wiggin, Coordinator, Indigenous Initiatives, University of Alberta 

Anne Carr-Wiggin coordinates Indigenous Initiatives at the University of Alberta Library, including the First Nations Information Connection (a collaboration with First Nations college libraries), the Indigenous Internship, and the NEOS Decolonizing Description project. She serves on the Council of Prairie and Pacific University Libraries Indigenous Knowledge Standing Committee, and on the Council of the National Indigenous Knowledge and Language Alliance Council, and has served on the Canadian Federation of Library Associations Indigenous Matters Committee. She is of Scottish and English heritage, and came to these lands as an adult. She is grateful for the welcome and learning she has received from Indigenous colleagues, students and friends.

Mikaela LeBlanc, Indigenous Intern, University of Alberta  

Mikaela LeBlanc is a recent graduate of the Master of Library and Information Studies program at the University of Alberta. She is one of the Indigenous Interns with the University of Alberta libraries, gaining experience in public service and project work. Mikaela is a Métis woman; originally from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Mikaela first moved to Edmonton for her undergrad, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in History. She is excited to be working in the areas of her interest, information and history, and looks forward to building her career.

Leigha Rind, Youth and Adult Program Coordinator, Devon Public Library and former Indigenous Intern, University of Alberta 

Leigha Rind is a Métis librarian from Devon, Alberta, a small town beside kisiskâciwanisîpiy (the North Saskatchewan River). Leigha lives in amiskwaciy-wâskahikan (Edmonton) and, when she’s not running Storytime or planning a speaking event as a Program Coordinator at Devon Public Library, spends her time reading, gardening, walking, and visiting family. She was an Indigenous Intern at the University of Alberta Library from 2018-2020.

Lisa O’Hara, Vice Provost (Libraries) & University Librarian, University of Manitoba

Lisa O’Hara is a member of the Manitoba Métis Federation whose mother’s family is from St. Eustache, Manitoba and whose father was a first-generation Canadian from Norway.  She has worked in libraries for over 30 years and is very happy to be able to support Reconciliation work in her current role as an administrator. 

Lyle Ford, Senior Lead, Indigenous Engagement, University of Manitoba

Lyle Ford is a proud Métis, who traces his Red River Settlement Métis ancestry back to the mid-1700s. He has been a librarian for 28 years and is now the Senior Lead, Indigenous Engagement for the University of Manitoba Libraries. He’s worked there as a librarian since 1998 in various roles, serving Engineering, Distance Education, English, Film, Theatre, Classics, and Indigenous Studies, among other disciplines. 

Shirley Delorme Russell, Indigenous Intern, University of Manitoba

Shirley Delorme Russell is a proud Red River Métis woman from her momma (Delorme) from the heart of the Métis nation and a humble Anisinaabekwe from her dad (Russell) from the land of the Sleeping Giant. She was a well known dynamic Métis historian teacher before she joined the University of Manitoba as an Indigenous Intern. She is currently enrolled at the University of Alberta School of Library and Information Studies and aims to graduate in Spring 2026.

Claire Settee, Indigenous Intern, University of Manitoba

Claire Settee is Anishnaabe through her Mother who is from Wanibigaaw Ziibi (Hollow Water First Nation), and Omushkego Scottish Metis through her Father who is from Matheson Island. She is a proud member of  Ochekwi Sipi (Fisher River Cree Nation). Outside of her Internship at the University of Manitoba, she is an herbalist and Anishinaabemowin learner. She will begin her studies at the University of Alberta’s School of Library and Information Studies in the Fall.