Situating the Author: Lorisia MacLeod

My name is Lorisia MacLeod and I’m a third generation library worker. I am member of the James Smith Cree Nation on my father’s side and a mixture of Scottish, Irish and British on my mother’s side. I was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta where I currently live and work. Though the effects of colonization have meant many teachings including language were not passed down through my family lines I am working on learning nêhiyawêwin (the Cree language) using recordings and resources mostly made by older family members I didn’t have a chance to meet.

I am grateful to the mentors and colleagues, many of whom I connected with through academia, who have helped me to develop my understanding of Cree ways of knowing and broader Indigenous relationships. My general approach to information work in the field of Indigenous librarianship is focused on communal teaching and learning through relationships and community. My perspectives are also informed by my Bachelors in Arts, majoring in French Language and Literature and anthropology, and my Masters of Library and Information Studies, both from the University of Alberta.

At the time of publication, I am the Learning Services Librarian for The Alberta Library- a not-for-profit library consortia based in Edmonton.