We are grateful to have received a Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community grant in 2024! This grant allowed us to place 12 Little Free Library book-sharing boxes through our Indigenous Library Program.
“I’m grateful for the support from the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community to ensure more Indigenous literature is reaching communities in Minnesota,” said Talia Miracle, the Indigenous Library Program Manager at Little Free Library. “Books that share our stories and perspectives are integral to uplifting and sharing our cultures so that we all have a better understanding of each other and our history. Pinagigi (thank you)!”
We heard from two of the library recipients about their book exchanges. Read on to learn more!
Maryanna H. — Sioux Community
Describe the population served or community reached and the project impact on them. Has there been any feedback from this population/community?
It is located in a very pedestrian-friendly neighborhood. Many people in the community pass it daily: families going to a nearby park, people walking their dogs, and students walking to and from school. A state legislator who saw it commented that they would come back with books by Indigenous authors
What are your future plans for sustaining this program or project?
Our plans are to continue to keep it filled with Indigenous books for youth and adults. We are committed to recognizing Indigenous authors and to providing diverse books for readers of color and helping all readers experience characters that are not stereotypes.
Mark J. — Knights Academy
Describe the population served or community reached and the project impact on them. Has there been any feedback from this population/community?
We have roughly 40 native American students attending STMA Schools. We placed the LFL in a common area located in a community garden on the grounds of our community education building. The garden is a indigenous garden funded by our AIPAC and was worked on by our students and staff of our Alternative High School.
What are your future plans for sustaining this program or project?
We plan on having this garden and LFL accessible to our STMA community for years to come by maintaining the garden and LFL. Our AIPAC has a budget set aside for this upkeep.
Help us bring Little Free Libraries full of books where they’re needed most. Donate today! When you donate, you help us provide libraries to communities like these.