Culture Keepers Collective
The Culture Keepers Collective is a Native-led network that supports cultural workers advancing the work of tribal libraries, archives, museums, and cultural programs. The Collective centers Indigenous data sovereignty, cultural stewardship, and community-driven approaches to preserving and sharing knowledge.
The Collective is administered by WiLS and guided by an advisory council of Tribal professionals working across Indigenous cultural heritage fields.
What We Do
The Culture Keepers Collective connects and supports cultural workers across Native Nations and partner institutions through collaboration, shared learning, and digital stewardship initiatives.
Our work includes:
- Connecting cultural workers across Tribal libraries, archives, museums, and cultural programs
- Supporting digital stewardship through the Mukurtu Midwest Hub
- Hosting gatherings, such as the virtual Coffee Hours, and co-hosting the Culture Keepers Convening.
- Supporting workforce development through internships and collaborative training initiatives, including partnership-based programs.
- Sharing resources and practices grounded in Indigenous data sovereignty and cultural protocols
Together, these efforts strengthen relationships, expand access to tools and knowledge, and support community-led cultural work.
Current Projects and Updates
Convenings
The Culture Keepers Convening brings together Tribal librarians, archivists, museum professionals, language workers, Tribal Historic Preservation Officers, and cultural heritage practitioners to strengthen relationships, share knowledge, and support ongoing cultural preservation work.
In May 2026, participants gathered in Waaswaaganing (Lac du Flambeau), Wisconsin, for the 19th Culture Keepers Convening, hosted by Gikendaasowigamig (House of Knowledge) Ben Guthrie Lac du Flambeau Public Library and George W. Brown Ojibwe Museum & Cultural Center.
The Convening continues to serve as a space for collaboration, reflection, and collective work across Native Nations and partner institutions.
Read more about the 2026 Culture Keepers Convening on the WiLS blog.
Coffee Hour
The Culture Keepers Collective Coffee Hour is a recurring virtual gathering for cultural workers to connect, share ideas, and build relationships in an informal and welcoming space.
Participants join from their own communities to discuss projects, exchange knowledge, and support one another in the ongoing work of cultural stewardship. Each session features a guest speaker and theme focused on topics relevant to Tribal libraries, archives, museums, and cultural programs.
Coffee hours are held every month, with a break in July.
Join the mailing list to stay connected and receive upcoming dates and details.
Digitization Support
In 2026, WiLS coordinated an OCLC digitization equipment grant supporting all twelve of Wisconsin’s Native Nations. The grant provided digitization equipment to help tribal libraries, archives, and museums build local capacity to digitize and preserve their own cultural heritage materials. This project builds on WiLS’ ongoing partnership with the Culture Keepers Collective and reflects a continued commitment to community-driven, self-determined approaches to digital stewardship.
Advisory Council
The Culture Keepers Collective is guided by an advisory council of Indigenous professionals in libraries, archives, museums, education, language work, and cultural heritage.
Council members include:
- Courtney Cottrell Gerzetich (PhD), Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Brothertown Indian Nation; Cultural Center Registrar, Oneida Nation
- Cassy Leeport, Tribal Libraries, Archives, and Museums Director, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Margaret Ottenad, Library Instructional Technology Specialist, Kettle Moraine School District
- Omar Poler, Indigenous Education Coordinator, University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Adrienne Thunder, Program Manager, Hoocąk Waaziija Haci Language Division
- Monique Tyndall, Local Contexts Outreach Coordinator
WiLS Support for the Collective
WiLS supports the Culture Keepers Collective by:
- Providing education and support for culturally relevant programming through regional training events, resources, and consultations
- Facilitating collaboration across Tribal Nations and partner institutions to support Indigenous digital stewardship work
- Sustaining the Mukurtu Midwest Hub as a shared platform for Indigenous cultural stewardship and community access
- Supporting Indigenous data sovereignty through advocacy and engagement with contemporary issues affecting Wisconsin’s Native Nations
- Coordinating meetings, convenings, and collaborative planning processes
- Advancing digital stewardship partnerships and grant-funded initiatives connected to the Collective’s work
- Building and maintaining relationships across Native Nations, cultural heritage organizations, and institutional partners
Get Involved
The Culture Keepers Collective is a growing network.
Join the mailing list to receive updates, opportunities, and project news.
For more information or to connect with the Collective, contact Erin Hughes at ehughes@wils.org.
