Hoosiers by Blood: Highlighting Latino Heritage at WikiConference North America 2024 in Indianapolis

Hoosiers by Blood: Highlighting Latino Heritage at WikiConference North America 2024 in Indianapolis

The 2024 WikiConference North America was a spotlight on diversity and an opportunity to increase the inclusion of the Latino community in Indianapolis, Indiana, and across North America. Held in early October, it was the eleventh annual gathering of Wikimedians, institutions, and professionals across North America, including Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

During the four-day conference, we aimed to connect with individuals in Indianapolis who could help us create spaces for visibility and representation for the local Latino community. At the same time, the conference provided participants, both new and experienced, with the opportunity to discover, listen, and collaborate on a new project designed to address the knowledge gap about Latinos in Wikimedia projects.

We are pleased to report that Latino voices were effectively highlighted through three key events, each contributing to a meaningful representation of their stories. 

Culture Crawl at the Indiana Historical Society

Kicking off the conference on Thursday, the Culture Crawl at the Indiana Historical Society set the tone for a weekend of rich cultural exploration. Nicole Martinez-LeGrand, a third-generation Hoosier Mexican American and historian, captivated attendees with a powerful presentation based on her book, Hoosier Latinos: A Century of Struggle, Service, and Success. 

Her talk shed light on the overlooked chapters of Indiana’s Latino heritage, from the stories of the Lost Barrio of Indianapolis to the state’s first Fiestas Patrias holiday. Martinez-LeGrand’s presentation revealed the deep connections between Indiana, México, and Latin America, showcasing Latinos’ contributions to Indiana’s history. Her detailed research, accompanied by photos, gave attendees a rare glimpse into these hidden narratives, igniting curiosity and admiration for Indiana’s Latino history while touring this beautiful gem of history in downtown Indianapolis.

Hispanic Heritage Month Edit-a-thon

Friday’s highlight was the Hispanic Heritage Month Edit-a-thon, a dynamic event dedicated to honoring BIPOC (black, indigenous, and people of color) pioneers, with a special focus on key Indianapolis Latino historical figures. 

The event was a big success, resulting in the creation of several new English and Spanish Wikipedia articles celebrating Indianapolis Latinos who have made significant contributions to the state and their community. These stories, previously absent from Wikipedia, were memorialized in beautiful postcards designed specifically for the conference. 

The Edit-a-thon not only brought these stories to life, but it also featured a screen printing workshop led by Chicana artist Alejandra Carrillo. Participants had the opportunity to learn how to print, customize, and take home tote bags and posters adorned with a custom graphic created by Carrillo. Based in Indianapolis, Carrillo is known for her multidisciplinary work that focuses on the Mexican-American experience in the Midwest, exploring themes of displacement, decolonization, and activism.

We also encouraged Wikipedians to continue expanding Latino representation on Wikipedia beyond the edit-a-thon. It was a powerful reminder that Indianapolis’s Latino heritage is rich, like every other US state, and its pioneers deserve to be celebrated and remembered​. 

At the Crossroads of Inclusion: Launch of WikiProject LATINOS

Saturday, we saw keynote speakers Eric Borja and Oscar Costero, and the WikiProject WP:LATINOS was officially launched in both English and Spanish, marking a significant step toward increasing the representation of Latinos on Wikipedia. 

During the talk, Eric and Oscar emphasized the pressing need for more bilingual editors and content to accurately represent the diversity of the Latino community across both English and Spanish. They also discussed the challenges newcomers face when trying to navigate the platform, highlighting barriers such as complex editing processes, the hurdles of the Translation Tool, and a lack of resources for those who wish to contribute.

Eric and Oscar also emphasized the various research efforts conducted by Equis Institute to explore and map the Latino digital landscape. One of the key findings was that Wikipedia serves as a central resource for Latinos seeking information online. This discovery highlights the platform’s significant role in shaping the information ecosystem for Latino communities across the United States. Through their research, Equis Institute provided insights into how digital platforms influence knowledge consumption and how Wikipedia, in particular, acts as a trusted anchor for many Latino users.

You’re Invited to Join Us!

This new project seeks to close the gap in Latino representation by creating space on Wikipedia for Latino stories, history, and culture. The WikiConference North America 2024 was a key moment in bringing attention to this underrepresented community, but this is only the beginning. With the launch of Wikiproject LATINOS, we’re committed to making a lasting impact by preserving these stories globally. Your involvement is crucial to this effort—through collaboration, we can ensure Latino voices are heard, valued, and represented on one of this generation’s largest and most impactful platforms.