Representation and awareness of Indigenous people and culture is critical in overcoming the stereotypes and misconceptions that many people hold. Positive representation of Indigenous culture, history, and current events in literature is critical for Indigenous children in order to foster good self-esteem. Moreover, it is essential to boost Native Americans' access to educational materials in order to overcome achievement gaps.

The Santa Clarita Public Library partnered with the Fernandeño Tataviam Band of Mission Indians beginning in 2019 with funding from the American Indian Library Association to create our first Yawáyro kits. Those were checked out directly to Tribe members, leaders in their Education & Cultural Learning Department, or others. We were invited by the FTBMI to join in partnership with the Natural History Museum of LA County to include artifacts from their collection in our second phase of the kits, which launched in 2022.

Yawáyro kits are a rich resource for families, individuals and educators to increase. New laws in the State of California, including the California Indian Education Act, point to this type of collaboration with Native American Tribes to improve the quality and accuracy of resources for students about Indigenous People. The FTBMI, the Santa Clarita Public Library, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County provide a template for a successful partnership in Yawáyro.

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