For far too long, American libraries have had problematic interactions with local tribes, reinforcing destructive colonial relationships or helping to perpetuate the mythology that Native peoples are “disappearing.” December’s issue of Alki will publish pieces that center indigenous voices in our community, consider our relationships with local tribes, and highlight the practice of indigenous librarianship. Indigenous librarianship prioritizes the interests, practices, needs, and support of Indigenous people and can be practiced by both indigenous and non-indigenous librarians.
Cover attribution: The Welcome Woman was originally carved in 1984 by Colfax and Peterson-Haitwas’ father, Andy Wilbur-Peterson ’87, and gifted to Evergreen by the Native American Studies program. This traditional Salish cedar carving was updated and re-painted in 2019 by master carver Greg Colfax (Makah) and Bunni Peterson-Haitwas ’19 (Skokomish) at Pay3q’ali, the carving studio on the House of Welcome indigenous arts campus. In this makeover, the artists wanted all Native people to see something in her that represented them. Situated at the main entrance of The Evergreen State College Olympia campus, the Welcome Woman has been welcoming visitors for over 35 years.
