The LAC courte oreilles band of lake superior chippewa indians of wisconsin will continue to develop a comprehensive collection of resources and help future storytellers tell their stories

The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin received a $145,461 Project Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the Native American and Native Hawaiian Library Services program (CFDA 45.311), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027. The award supports the development of a comprehensive library collection and cultural resource initiative designed to enhance storytelling capabilities and community engagement. Project deliverables include expanded library materials across nine schools and centers throughout the service area, acquisition of digitization equipment and associated staff training for processing films, documents, and photographs, and community programming featuring traditional storytelling events alongside presentations by local writers and artists.

Additionally, the grant funds genealogy and local history initiatives, including field trips to area history centers and workshops focused on local history writing and genealogy research. These activities align with the Native American Library Services Enhancement Grants component of the program, which prioritizes improved educational programming, digital service enhancements, and preservation and revitalization of Native American cultures and languages. The project will strengthen the Lac Courte Oreilles Tribal Government's capacity to serve its approximately 8,214 enrolled members while advancing cultural continuity and knowledge transmission within the broader tribal community.

Project funds will support additional resources for the library collection and ensure new collections of books at nine schools and centers throughout the area. Community programming will feature traditional storytelling events along with other presentations by local writers and artists. The project will enhance a community workstation with the necessary tools for digitizing films, documents, and photographs, and the community will receive associated training on this equipment. A genealogy group will take field trips to area history centers, and project funds will also support local history writing and genealogy workshops.