Igiugig, a Southwest Alaska community of about 70 residents, has pursued big things from its little library, including the publication of a bilingual children’s book.
Earlier this summer, the Village of Igiugig received the Contributions to Literacy in Alaska Award from the Alaska Center for the Book. The center is part of a nationwide network designated by the Library of Congress. The award recognizes individuals and groups that promote literacy throughout the state.
The president of the Igiugig Village Council, AlexAnna Salmon, said the community’s deep history is the foundation of their work.We are governed by our Indigenous value system that has remained constant since time immemorial, despite all of the efforts and years of colonization. We feel tribal sovereignty very strongly. We have a strong relationship with our environment and maintaining relationships with each other.
Luke Qaya and Addison Ungalaq Salmon read the new children’s book published by the Igiugig Tribal Library. “This has brought in relationships with researchers in a way where our village controls the research happening, and we use the library as a forum to gather and have dialog, conversations or feedback on some of the research being done,” she explained.