International Indigenous Librarians' Forum (IILF) Guide

Culture, Knowledge, Future

The Fifth International Indigenous Librarians' Forum was held June 4-7, 2007 in Brisbane, Australia. The host party was the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library and Information Resource Network (ATSILIRN). The year's theme was Culture, Knowledge, Future. Attendees represented Indigenous peoples of Australia, Aotearoa/New Zealand, Canada, and the United States.

Events included formal presentations, cultural events, a field day, and small group workshops. Each day's events were devoted to one of four themes: Knowledge Day, Culture Day, Sharing Day, and the Future. Some presenters addressed issues of policy, including overviews of U.S. tribal law, Maori cultural protocol, U.S. Protocols for Native American Archives and the National Policy Framework for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Library Services and Collections. Other areas of interest included recruitment of Indigenous students into librarianship, ways of improving Indigenous library services and collections, and the empowerment of Indigenous women art. National Aboriginal leaders provided the keynote addresses and helped visiting delegates greater understand the history of aboriginal services in Australia. The Forum also included a trip to meet with the Quandamooka tribal community for sharing of local foods, cultural dances, and artwork.