"Mishoomis" means Grandfather in the Ojibwe language. Grandfathers are known for storytelling and teaching the younger generation.
The Mishoomis Collection Library is housed at the AILRC. The original library started with eight books. Dr. Rosemary Ackley Christensen and her sons Dane and Barry Christensen donated over 1000 additional resources in memory of their grandfather and great-grandfather James Ackley. To honor Rosemary's grandfather we named the library, "The Mishoomis Collection Library."
This is a remarkable resource for learning about Native American history and heritage. It features rare books and the private collections of American Indian/Alaska Native elders and scholars. The collection is unique because many materials are written from an Indigenous perspective, focused on the lives and histories of Indigenous people—in their own words. The library now consists of 10,000 materials, including videos, documents, contemporary scholarly papers, and other resources.
The library concentrates on collecting papers, publications and writings of contemporary American Indian Scholars. The current and coming generations need to hear what American Indian people write and think about issues. For too long the emphasis has been on non-Indian scholars thinking and writing their opinions on American Indian life, thought, and worldview. This library is focused on our American Indian and Alaskan Native Scholars; and their ideas, comments and recommendations.
Any overstock that we have accumulated has been donated to Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, Mash-Ka-Wisen Treatment Center, Sandstone Prison Chapel Library, the Red Cliff Library and others.
The Friends of The Mishoomis Collection Library who have donated 100 or more books include: Dr. Rosemary Ackley Christensen; Dane and Barry Christensen; Drs. Linda and James Belote; Carol Newman; Dorothy Olson; Bonnie Wallace Hagland and Ronald E. Hagland.
If you have any questions about the library or would like to donate to it, stop by our office or contact us: [email protected] or 218-726-6379.