Little Free Library launches Indigenous initiative
This week, the nonprofit Little Free Library announced the launch of its Indigenous Library Program nationwide and in Canada. The initiative’s focus is to “increase book access in Indigenous communities to help improve literacy outcomes and ignite a love of reading.”
Organizers are specifically targeting book deserts in Indian Country.
As part of the grant package the library boxes come with 50 books — half with titles that are BIPOC-centered, and the others focused on the Indigenous experience. The collections include a variety of reading levels and were picked by a Native advisory group made up of seven members from tribal nations across the country.
Talia Miracle, an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, is the program’s manager. She said the book-sharing boxes’ contents signify something larger.
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“It's just so important to see yourself represented in the pages of a book,” Miracle said. “I didn't see myself represented in the pages of books when I was a little kid. So, I would really just love to be able to give that opportunity to as many other little Native kids as I can.”
According to Miracle, two of the first three Indigenous nations taking part in the program are from Minnesota: Red Lake and White Earth. The third is in Mandaree, North Dakota. However, she said they’ve received applications from other tribes from around the U.S and Canada.
Miracle said the program is close to her heart.
“I am a mother. I have a 20-month-old son, Cameron, and we have read books to him every single day since he was born,” she said. “I can't imagine other little Indigenous kids and babies not having that same opportunity to have good quality books in their home.”
Since 2009, Little Free Library programs have shared over 300 million books. To learn more about the Indigenous Library Program or to donate visit littlefreelibrary.org.
Correction (June 10, 2023): This story has been updated to correct the spelling of one of the locations of the libraries and the age of a child referenced in a quote.
