Celebrate Native American Heritage Month Through Storytelling

Native and Indigenous American Heritage Month
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November is Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month, a time to honor the rich histories, cultures, and contributions of Native American and Indigenous communities. One of the most potent ways to engage with these diverse perspectives is through storytelling, whether found in literature or shared via podcasts. Keep reading to discover author spotlights, reading recommendations for all ages, and podcasts that amplify Native voices, offering meaningful ways to explore Indigenous histories, experiences, and cultures.

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Discover Award-Winning Indigenous Authors

Native American and Indigenous authors have significantly impacted literature, with many recognized by prestigious literary awards for their contributions to children's and young adult literature. Here are a few award-winning authors whose works deserve a special spotlight:

  • Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa)
    Erdrich, winner of the National Book Award for The Round House, is a prolific author whose works often focus on Native American identity, family, and community. Her storytelling, steeped in Ojibwe traditions, has earned her numerous accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for The Night Watchman.
  • Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek Nation)
    Smith is the 2021 NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature laureate and has received multiple honors for her middle-grade books, including Ancestor Approved and Indian Shoes. Her work often features Native characters and celebrates the beauty and resilience of Indigenous cultures.
  • Joy Harjo (Muscogee Creek Nation)
    Harjo, the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, has won numerous awards, including the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize and the Academy of American Poets Wallace Stevens Award. Her poetry collections, such as An American Sunrise, blend Indigenous history, spirituality, and contemporary experiences.
  • Carole Lindstrom (Anishinaabe)
    Lindstrom won the Caldecott Medal for We Are Water Protectors, a poetic tribute to the movement against environmental destruction led by Native peoples. The book's compelling narrative about activism and stewardship of the earth has resonated widely, making it a favorite among educators.
  • Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation)
    Sorell’s We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga was a Sibert Honor Book and also received a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor. This vibrant picture book introduces children to Cherokee culture and the importance of gratitude, with rich illustrations that celebrate community.

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Reading Recommendations for All Ages

As we celebrate Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month, reading is one way to honor the powerful narratives and histories passed down through generations. Stories offer a lens through which we can better understand the richness and diversity of Indigenous experiences. From picture books to adult fiction, there’s something for every age group to explore and learn from the wisdom, resilience, and traditions of Native American and Indigenous communities.

 

Children’s Books

Books for young readers help introduce Native American stories early on, offering a window into traditions, cultures, and history in ways that resonate with children.

  • "We Are Water Protectors" by Carole Lindstrom (Anishinaabe)
    This Caldecott Medal-winning book tells the story of a young girl standing up for her community’s water rights, weaving in themes of activism and environmentalism through beautiful illustrations.
  • "Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story" by Kevin Noble Maillard (Seminole Nation)
    A celebration of family and tradition, Fry Bread explores the deep connection between food and culture, showcasing the diversity and resilience of Native American peoples.
  • "Bowwow Powwow" by Brenda J. Child (Red Lake Ojibwe)
    A vibrant story about a young girl attending a powwow with her dog, this book celebrates traditions, community gatherings, and Native joy.

Middle Grade

For middle-grade readers, the following selections explore identity, culture, and history, engaging young minds with the Indigenous experience.

  • "Indian No More" by Charlene Willing McManis (Umpqua) and Traci Sorell (Cherokee)
    This historical fiction novel follows Regina as her tribe faces termination by the U.S. government in the 1950s. It reveals how her family navigates relocation and the loss of their tribal identity.
  • "Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids," edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek Nation)
    This collection of short stories centered around a powwow written by Native authors offers multiple perspectives on Native American life today.
  • "Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young (Navajo)
    Blending Navajo mythology with modern-day life, this coming-of-age story follows a boy on a spiritual journey that teaches him the importance of community, family, and cultural heritage.

Young Adult

This list of young adult fiction features Indigenous protagonists and explores themes of identity, resistance, and reconnection with heritage.

  • "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline (Métis)
    A dystopian novel where Indigenous people are hunted for their bone marrow, The Marrow Thieves weaves a narrative about survival, memory, and the resilience of Indigenous cultures.
  • "Firekeeper’s Daughter" by Angeline Boulley (Ojibwe)
    A thriller with themes of justice and identity, this novel centers on Daunis, an Ojibwe teen who becomes involved in an FBI investigation. It explores the complexities of family, tribal loyalty, and heritage.
  • "Elatsoe" by Darcie Little Badger (Lipan Apache)
    A supernatural mystery follows a young Lipan Apache girl with the power to raise the ghosts of dead animals. The novel blends Indigenous traditions with a modern-day fantasy setting.

Adult

Indigenous adult literature often spans various genres, from poetry to speculative fiction, with storytelling as a powerful tool for cultural preservation and resistance.

  • "There There" by Tommy Orange (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes)
    This novel follows twelve characters from Native communities as they converge on a powwow in Oakland, revealing interconnected stories of displacement, identity, and survival.
  • "The Round House" by Louise Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians)
    Set on a North Dakota reservation, this novel deals with a young boy’s quest for justice after his mother is brutally attacked, touching on themes of law, community, and trauma.
  • "Black Sun" by Rebecca Roanhorse (Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo)
    A fantasy novel inspired by the pre-Columbian cultures of the Americas, Black Sun offers a gripping, richly imagined world with deep cultural roots in Indigenous history.

Hear Native Voices and Stories on Podcasts

Beyond the pages of books, podcasts provide another rich avenue for hearing from Native storytellers, activists, and leaders. These shows amplify Indigenous perspectives, exploring everything from cultural traditions to current social issues. Whether you want to expand your understanding of Native American history or engage with contemporary conversations about identity and sovereignty, tuning into these podcasts will offer insight and inspiration.

  • All My Relations: Hosted by Matika Wilbur (Swinomish and Tulalip) and Adrienne Keene (Cherokee Nation), this podcast explores relationships between Indigenous peoples, their cultures, and the broader world. Each episode delves into topics like land, language, and Native representation in media.
  • Toasted Sister Podcast: Hosted by Andi Murphy (Diné), this podcast focuses on Native American foodways. It highlights the cultural significance of food and the modern Indigenous food movement, with interviews from chefs, farmers, and food advocates.
  • The Red Nation Podcast: Focuses on Indigenous resistance, history, and current events. It features in-depth discussions on decolonization, Indigenous sovereignty, and activism.

These podcasts and literary works provide meaningful ways to engage with Native stories, perspectives, and voices during Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month and beyond.

 

Don't miss our episode of The Reading Culture podcast with author Angeline Boulley

Native American History Month Challenge

Keep Reading

Celebrating Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month through literature allows us to explore diverse perspectives and amplify the voices of Indigenous authors. Whether for children or adults, these stories deepen our understanding of Native cultures and create spaces for reflection, connection, and appreciation.

Contact our team today to discover how your library or school can join the Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month reading challenge or explore thousands of other exciting challenges!

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