This article is posted on behalf of the IFLA Indigenous Matters (IM) Section

Last week we were lucky enough to meet many of our IFLA colleagues at the Mexican Global Information Forum in Mexico City. This forum was the result of hard work and collaboration between eight IFLA Committees and covered an incredible range of topics, including artificial intelligence, censorship, colonialism, LGBTQIA+ representation, knowledge stewardship and community trust building. The topics covered could not have been more timely and relevant, and the entire event was incredibly thought-provoking.

The Indigenous Matters section co-sponsored a 2-day symposium on stewarding Indigenous Knowledge through law, ethics and the archive. Through a dense and inspiring programme we were able to hear from primarily Indigenous, Native and First Nations experts and knowledge holders from across the globe – exploring how our knowledges, cultures and expertise are pivotal in modernising and decolonising the library and archives sector.

It is an open secret for many Indigenous and First Nations library workers that conferences and academic spaces are often extractive and frame our knowledges and collections as issues to be solved. The complexity and power of the work we do with and for our communities can easily be overshadowed by institutional needs and their uncertainty in how to understand their colonial history and the vast collections of our languages, stories and ancestors. It was wonderful then, that over these two days we heard from our brothers, sisters, aunties and uncles from around the world — language workers, copyright, legal and technology experts, videographers, teachers, Elders and librarians. It struck many of us how different these spaces can feel when we frame Indigenous Knowledge and those who hold it as the solution rather than the problem.

To sit together in our discomfort and our inspiration was both a privilege and a relief.

We want to applaud the CLM (IFLA Advisory Committee on Copyright and Other Legal Matters and FAIFE (IFLA Advisory Committee on Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression), particularly Sara Benson, for creating with us such a challenging and nourishing symposium for all. We also want to thank Jonathan Hernández and our wonderful hosts at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

Papers and presentations from the symposium will be prepared for an upcoming special issue of the IFLA Journal, so please watch this space.

Author: Damien Webb, Chair of IFLA Indigenous Matters (IM) Section