I am of Anishinaabe and settler heritage. I call Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg territory (Treaty 20) home, but currently live and work on Treaty 13, the Tkaronto Purchase. I am a granddaughter, daughter, sister, auntie, helper, and learner. I have the privilege of walking in two worlds; learning from my relations on and off-reserve, both urban and rural, traditional and contemporary, and am able to apply pieces of that knowledge to my professional life, as an academic librarian. I am passionate about Indigenous self governance, data sovereignty, decolonizing information management systems; language revitalization; and amplifying the voices of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour.

At New College, I serve as the liaison librarian to three academic units: Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health; Community Engaged Learning, and Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity. I am also working to add anti-oppressive language to curriculum documents as a co-chair of the International Foundations Program Joint Curriculum Committee.

At University of Toronto Libraries, I chair the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Collections Initiative Working Group.

At Ontario College and University Library Association (OCULA), I am a Councillor at large and co-coordinate of the EDI Community of Practice. I was an Ontario Library Association (OLA) Super Conference planner in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

Blog posts

• The Truth is in the Stories
• We Are Not History Part II: How You Can Help
• How to Be a Librarian (or succeed in self-directed work) When You Have ADHD: Part 2
• How to Be a Librarian (or succeed in self-directed work) When You Have ADHD: Part 1
• ‘Sorry for the Genocide’: Breaking Down The Pope’s Apology Tour
• We Are Not History
• A few bad apples? Investigating the origins of the Freedom Convoy

Book chapter

• Redden, M., & Kwan-Lafond, D. (2023). Indigenous Data Sovereignty: Moving Toward Self-Determination and a Future of Good Data. In K. Thompson, E. Hill, E. Carlisle-Johnston, D. Dennie, E. Fortin, (Eds.), Research data management in the Canadian context: A Guide for Practitioners and Learners. University of Western Ontario: Western Libraries. 

Collaborative documents

• Contributor to Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity: A Framework, Joint ALA/ARL Building Cultural Proficiencies for Racial Equity Framework Task Force

In the news

• Schwalb, J. (2023, October 16). U of T’s 2023 Orange Shirt Day event centers Residential School Survivor Storybase: U of T librarians discuss online platform that shares Residential School Survivors’ stories. The Varsity.
• CTV National News. (2023, September 30). National Day for Truth and Reconciliation [Television broadcast interview]. CTV News Channel.
• Metro Morning. (2023, September 29). Online storybase aims to help educate people about the legacy of residential schools without putting more 'emotional burden' on survivors' stories [Radio broadcast]. CBC Radio One.
• Lewis, H. (2023, September 27). Librarians create educational tool for accessing residential school survivor stories. Global News.
• Vendeville, G. (2022, June 20). By improving catalogues and collections, U of T librarians aim to be respectful of Indigenous voices. U of T News.