​An OLA preconference offered a valuable training opportunity for school and public librarians to learn more about Tribal History/Shared History Curriculum and to think about how they can positively support and work with Oregon Tribes.

​Senate Bill 13, (otherwise known as Tribal History/Shared History) legally mandated that schools across Oregon integrate historically accurate and culturally responsive curriculum about Tribal History into K-12 education. Schools across the state are in the process of implementing the curriculum and Tribes are developing additional place-based educational resources specific to their own unique history. Libraries, both school and public, can play a role in supporting this effort by offering culturally relevant programming and collections, as well as advocating for access and inclusion of authentic Indigenous voices and stories in our libraries.

The session was facilitated and organized by Mia Jackson, the Education Manager for the Museum of Natural and Cultural History (MNCH) at the University of Oregon. MNCH is in the final stages of completing a traveling exhibit that aligns with the Tribal History/Shared History curriculum. The exhibit, Native Innovation, will travel to different libraries throughout Oregon beginning later this year. The session was intended to give librarians more information about the Tribal History/Shared History Curriculum and to help libraries plan culturally responsive programming when the exhibit tours the state.

Additionally, two libraries offered examples of efforts to serve and work with local Tribes and the Native American communities in their services areas. Eva Red Bird, Indigenous Outreach Coordinator, Multnomah County shared some of the efforts her work group has made in providing outreach and indigenizing library spaces. Holly Goebel, Wallowa Library Director shared her experience working with a local nonprofit to support the Tamkaliks Celebration and preserve local history.

The event was sponsored by OLA’s Children’s Services Division and the Oregon Association of School Librarians. A shout out also goes out to Ekatrina Sotomayor of Multnomah County, Star Todd of Jefferson County Library District and the Oregon State Library, who supported the event by providing their expertise and advice. 

​You can view the session here:

The booklist, slides, and a recording of the event are also currently available on the OLA Conference App. In the future, the resource will be accessible on NW Central.

​This preconference was given a shout-out on the May 2023 Oregon Department of Education Bulletin.

Many thanks to Stephanie Goodwin of the Jackson County Library and Molly Sloan of the Portland Jewish Academy for their work to coordinate and organize the Oregon Mock Caldecott.  Thanks to all the library workers throughout Oregon who participated.

Here is the list of mock Caldecott nominations: