I am a mixed race woman, Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg and Anglo-settler, from Nogojiwanong (Peterborough). I am off-reserve member of Curve Lake First Nation living and working in Gichi Kiiwenging (Tkaronto). I am a granddaughter, daughter, sister, auntie, helper, and learner. I approach my practice with an anti-colonial lens and am guided by Black intersectional feminist theories, which encourage me to identify and challenge exploitative power relationships and systems of oppression. I am passionate about listening, learning, and amplifying the voices of marginalized peoples; critical, anti-racist research methodologies; Indigenous data sovereignty; and community-led library practices.

At New College, I serve as the liaison librarian to three academic programs: 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.

I am Vice President (2024) of Ontario College and University Library Association (OCULA) and co-coordinate of the EDI Community of Practice.

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.