Wahpepah’s Kitchen: A Cultural Institution Profile: For my cultural institution profile, I chose to focus on Wahpepah’s Kitchen, a local Native American restaurant. I took INFO 281: Indigenous Cultural Institutions and Practices of Librarianship to deepen my understanding of Indigenous communities, cultural institutions, and their relationship to the field of library and information science. My research centered on Indigenous groups in the San Francisco Bay Area, where I live. I explored East Oakland’s rich intertribal community through my visit to Wahpepah’s Kitchen. Although this was an unconventional cultural institution choice, as students typically choose museums and tribal libraries, Dr. Gosart provided tremendous insight and support and helped me create a lasting learning experience.

Kazuko Rance is an aspiring children’s librarian. She wants to create educational, engaging, and entertaining programs for children. Her love for her community extends beyond championing literacy in children. She wants to bring people together so they can learn new skills, promote wellness, and support their community. Currently, she is a library aide in the East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area). She works on special projects at her libraries that use her creativity to educate and inspire children. Her favorite programs that she has worked on are the Gingerbread Workshop, Women’s History Month Scavenger Hunt, and Afrofuturism Month. As a librarian, she wants to uplift marginalized communities and become a mentor.