Cannell Library has been chosen to host the traveling exhibit Native Voices, a display about native concepts on health and illness developed and produced by the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
According to Michelle Bagley, dean of Clark Libraries and Academic Success, the Native Voices exhibit will explore the life, health, and illness of Native Americans, Native Alaskans and Native Hawaiians. The exhibit also addresses the topics of epidemics, federal legislation, the loss of land and discouragement of native culture.
“I hope students will become more aware of how wellness and illness has been and is part of Native communities,” Bagley said. “There are so many interconnected issues—health, spirituality, economic development, military service and more—and I hope students will be able to connect with one of these themes.”
The exhibit will be on campus for six weeks and kicks off Feb. 9 with an opening ceremony featuring a blessing from Sam Robinson, a Chinook Tribal Elder and a performance from local drummers, according to Bagley. The exhibit concludes with a closing ceremony on Mar. 9.
Cannell Library is the first library in the Northwest to host the exhibit, according to Marketing Director Toccara Stark. The event is free for all students and staff.
