American Libraries

To us the honor dance is honoring those Indian people that do things, accomplish things for Indian people and Indian country, and we honor them this way. We give them gifts, we give them song, and that's our way of giving respect for somebody who has a high statute and hold their own in high esteem when they do things for others.

Dennis Zotig: And as our honorary Dr. Roy becomes and starts to fulfill her duties as the president of this organization, it, too will be the dawn of a new beginning. And we know, as the Indian people, when our Indian people achieve a status like this, it makes us very proud because not too many people ever get to this level. This is a dawn of a new beginning. So at this time we'd like to call on the singers to sing songs to get this celebration started and we'd like to invite you, the audience to come out and participate. This is an audience participation dance called the Round Dance. I tell you this is a beautiful sight.

Loriene Roy: According to Indian protocol, let us start first by acknowledging the traditional owners of this land. In a few days I will be inaugurated as your President of the American Library Association. We will start to focus our energies on exploring the topics of workplace wellness, Circle Literacy, and supporting graduate education for our students to practice. But these are tasks I cannot accomplish on my own. Over the next year I will carry your help, kindness, your good wishes, as we persuade each other exercise our circumstances and work together to find our own good way. Chief, thank you—all of you.