AILA Events at the ALA Conference

American Indian Library Association (AILA) Membership Meeting

Friday, June 27, 2025
2:30pm-3:30pm EDT
Location: Philadelphia Marriott, Franklin 08

Please join the American Indian Library Association for our General membership meeting held in conjunction with the ALA Conference 2025. Members of the Executive Board will provide updates, and there will be time for networking and introductions. Do not need to be a member of AILA to join the conversation. All are welcome!

AILA President's Program: Truth, Identity, and Responsibility: Libraries and the Issue of Pretendians

Saturday, June 28, 2025
9:00am-10:00am EDT
Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Room 117

Join us at President's Program for the American Indian Library Association (AILA)!  This session explores the issue of Pretendians—non-Indigenous individuals who falsely claim Indigenous identity or affiliation with a specific nation. Presenters will share knowledge on how these false claims impact Indigenous communities, particularly within literature and library spaces. A panel discussion will address how libraries can navigate this complex topic and uphold standards of authenticity. Participants will gain tools to support genuine Native voices and responsibly curate Indigenous resources. All are welcome.

Moderator

Allison Waukau (Menominee/Navajo), Past President of AILA & Chair of RNTLOAK

Speakers

Cassy Leeport (Direct Descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe), VP/President Elect of AILA

Debbie Reese, Founder and Editor American Indians in Children's Literature

AILA at the Diversity Fair Poster Session

Sunday, June 29, 2025
3:30pm-5:00pm EDT

Location: Pennsylvania Convention Center, Ballroom A

Honoring Heritage, Building Futures: RNTLOAK's Journey and Contributions (Poster 21)

This poster celebrates the rich history and ongoing impact of the Rural, Native, and Tribal Libraries of All Kinds (RNTLOAK) Committee. It explores RNTLOAK’s mission of advocating for and supporting libraries that serve rural, Native, and tribal communities across the United States. The poster highlights key milestones, successful initiatives, and the committee’s collaborations with organizations like the American Indian Library Association and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries. It emphasizes how RNTLOAK honors the cultural heritage of these communities while laying the groundwork for sustainable futures, empowering libraries to provide vital resources and uphold cultural values.

Poster Presenters

Allison Waukau (Menominee/Navajo) , Past President of AILA, Chair RNTLOAK

Cassandra Osterloh (Cherokee Nation), Member at Large of AILA, Tribal Program Coordinator, New Mexico State Library

Preserving Knowledge, Sharing Stories: The American Indian Library Association's Past, Present, and Future

This poster explores the rich history, vibrant present, and hopeful future of the American Indian Library Association (AILA) through stories and photographs from the AILA Newsletter archive. It celebrates the organization’s pivotal role in advocating for Indigenous librarianship, promoting access to information through an Indigenous lens, and supporting Native communities. From its founding moments to current initiatives, the poster highlights key milestones, member voices, and opportunities for engagement. Attendees will discover how AILA continues to uplift Indigenous knowledge and cultures, and how new and returning members can contribute to its ongoing mission.

Poster Presenters

Cassy Leeport (Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe), VP/President Elect of AILA

Jonna Paden (Pueblo of Acoma), President of AILA