Indigenous Peoples in the United States

The Land of Great Turtles is a Cherokee origin story that introduces the reader to Cherokee beliefs and values.

The Creator gave the Cherokee people a beautiful island with everything they could ever need. It came with only one rule: they must take care of the land and the animals living there. But what happens when the children decide to play with the turtles instead of taking care of their responsibilities?

Written in both Cherokee and English, readers become familiar with the Cherokee syllabary and the Cherokee language.

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 4 to 7.

Explores themes of disrespect, disobedience, responsibilities, and the consequences of choices.

This is a Cherokee origin story that teaches Cherokee values.

Additional Information
40 pages | 6.00" x 9.00" | Paperback

Jamie and Marie Longbows reputation for solving mysteries is getting around. They are at another Powwow when a man named Lester Laughing, dressed in full regalia, approach them with a treasure map and ask them to solve a mystery. Jamie and Marie follow the clues hoping to find treasure but what they find out in the end is more surprising than the treasure itself.

Reviews
"A satisfying story in which two children discover the love of an ancestor (Graphic/mystery hybrid)" - Kirkus Reviews

"This high interest, low-risk adventure narrative pairs well with the clear and simple text, making it a win for beginning readers." - School Library Journal

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for grades 2 to 4.

This book is part of the Powwow Mystery series.

Additional Information
32 pages | 9.80" x 9.80"

All cultures have tales of the trickster, a crafty creature or being who uses cunning to get food, steal precious possessions, or simply cause mischief. He disrupts the order of things, often humiliating others and sometimes himself. In Native American traditions, the trickster takes many forms, from coyote or rabbit to raccoon or raven. The first graphic anthology of Native American trickster tales, Trickster brings together Native American folklore and the world of comics.

In Trickster more than twenty Native American tales are cleverly adapted into comic form. Each story is written by a different Native American storyteller who worked closely with a selected illustrator, a combination that gives each tale a unique and powerful voice and look. Ranging from serious and dramatic to funny and sometimes downright fiendish, these tales bring tricksters back into popular culture in a very vivid form. From an ego-driven social misstep in "Coyote and the Pebbles" to the hijinks of"How Wildcat Caught a Turkey" and the hilarity of "Rabbit's Choctaw Tail Tale", Trickster provides entertainment for readers of all ages and backgrounds.

Additional Information
248 pages | 8.00" x 8.00" | Paperback

Rodney Locust is finally twelve, the age his dad says he must be to attend the annual deer hunt on his family’s allotment in the hills of eastern Oklahoma. But there's a lot of work to do before Rodney can grab his rifle and step foot in the woods, starting with hunter safety. Rodney is anxious to start hunting and not excited about all the prepwork. But when he finally gets his chance, Rodney discovers the lessons he's learned may have been the key to a successful first hunt.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 11.

Part of the WIlderness Ridge series, which features authentic fiction stories about hunting and fishing activities. 

The first-person point of view puts readers in the midst of the action. 

Action-packed illustrations attract young fans of outdoor sports.

Additional Information
72 pages | 5.25" x 7.50" | Paperback

Twelve Native American kids present historical and contemporary laws, policies, struggles, and victories in Native life, each with a powerful refrain: We are still here!

Too often, Native American history is treated as a finished chapter instead of relevant and ongoing. This companion book to the award-winning We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga offers readers everything they never learned in school about Native American people's past, present, and future. Precise, lyrical writing presents topics including: forced assimilation (such as boarding schools), land allotment and Native tribal reorganization, termination (the US government not recognizing tribes as nations), Native urban relocation (from reservations), self-determination (tribal self-empowerment), Native civil rights, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), religious freedom, economic development (including casino development), Native language revival efforts, cultural persistence, and nationhood.

Reviews
"Students at the Native Nations Community School share presentations about the history, present, and future of Indigenous communities. The vivid artwork features a simple, bold style. The narrative starts with a general introduction of Native Nations in the United States. Each presentation contains illustrations with the student’s name, an overview of the subject, a brief list of the impact that the concept or historical moment had on Native American people, and the refrain “We Are Still Here!” The last pages show students and their families with a variety of skin tones and physical abilities studying the presentations on topics that include sovereign rights and relocation. Additional information, a timeline, a glossary, sources, and an author’s note offer further context. The lyrical text and jewel-tone illustrations elegantly work together to stirringly portray the ongoing fight for Native American recognition and rights. VERDICT An essential purchase for introducing the impact laws and treaties had and continue to have on Native Nations." —School Library Journal, starred review

"In this meticulously researched nonfiction picture book, Sibert honorees Sorell and Lessac team up once again to answer this question: What has happened to Native Nations and their citizens after the treaties with the U.S. government ended in 1871? Lessac’s trademark colorful, folk-art–style illustrations show a Native American community school with a classroom of diverse students preparing for presentations at the Indigenous People’s Day assembly. Spread by spread, each child speaks, featured words and terms highlighting the journey Native Nations have taken to reclaim their land and rights. They show why Indigenous people say, “We are still here!” In the “Assimilation” presentation, Native children are dressed in militarylike uniforms, showing how U.S. leaders used schooling to destroy Native traditions. Dividing plots of tribal land for “Allottment” left much treaty land open for public sale. With “Termination” and “Relocation,” Native people were encouraged to leave their tribal lands and “act more like white people.” But Indigenous people say, “We are still here!” and the narrative arc turns to emphasize resilience. When activists speak up and organize, it strengthens tribal sovereignty. The tribes “protect and provide for future generations” by holding on to their traditional ceremonies, opening businesses to support their tribal members, and reviving their tribal languages. The illustrations, too, change their tenor, modulating from historical wrongs to emphasize contemporary strength, community, and joy. An emphatic, triumphant declaration: “WE ARE STILL HERE!”" —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 10.

This book has a Native American focus.

Additional Information
40 pages | 9.88" x 10.81"

How about a book that makes you barge into your boss's office to read a page of poetry from? That you dream of? That every movie, song, book, moment that follows continues to evoke in some way?

The term "Apple" is a slur in Native communities across the country. It's for someone supposedly "red on the outside, white on the inside."

Eric Gansworth is telling his story in Apple (Skin to the Core). The story of his family, of Onondaga among Tuscaroras, of Native folks everywhere. From the horrible legacy of the government boarding schools, to a boy watching his siblings leave and return and leave again, to a young man fighting to be an artist who balances multiple worlds.

Eric shatters that slur and reclaims it in verse and prose and imagery that truly lives up to the word heartbreaking.

Awards

• American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner

Reviews
"With language rich in metaphor, this is a timely and important work that begs for multiple readings."-Booklist, starred review

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 12 to 18.

Additional Information
352 pages | 6.50" x 9.40"

After a school year of dealing with personal issues, Autumn Dawn is happy that summer is finally here. Autumn plans on visiting her aunt Jessie in Minneapolis before heading back home for the class she needs to attend in order to pass to the next grade.

On the first day of class, Autumn finds herself face-to-face with Sydney, the bully who thinks it is fun to pick on her. What could be worse than that? They are paired together and will be tutoring each other!

Between dealing with Sydney and trying not to notice the new guy in school, who has definitely noticed her, Autumn struggles to accept and embrace the fresh challenges she faces as she learns to believe in herself.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 12+.

Fry Reading Level: 4 

This book is part of the PathFinders series. The PathFinders series of Hi-Lo (high interest, low readability) novels offers the following features:

• Indigenous teen protagonists
• Age-appropriate plots
• 2.5 – 4.5 Reading Level
• Contemporary and historical fiction
• Indigenous authors

The PathFinders series is from an American publisher. Therefore, Indigenous terminology in the PathFinders books is not the same as Canadian Indigenous terminology. This prompts a useful teaching moment for educators in discussing appropriate terminology use in Canada.

This book is part of the Autumn Dawn Series, a subseries of the PathFinders series.

Additional Information
120 pages | 4.50" x 7.00" | Paperback

Autumn Dawn has learned to deal with her dyslexia and her life is starting to look better, but a horrible accident threatens to change everything. When her mother and brother are crossing a street, they are accidentally hit by a car. Autumn's little brother is okay, but her mother ends up in intensive care. Autumn's father, who had walked away from his family awhile ago, leaving them to fend for themselves, is now back in their lives and trying to make amends. When Autumn's mom is released from the hospital, she still needs help, so Autumn's dad moves back home.

Can Autumn ever forgive her father for leaving his family in the first place, or will she continue to be angry and resentful? Is it possible to trust any male, including her devoted boyfriend?

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 12+.

Fry Reading Level: 4.5

This book is part of the PathFinders Collection of Indigenous Hi-Lo- novels. Interest level is pre-teen on up. 

The PathFinders series of Hi-Lo (high interest, low readability) novels offers the following features:

• Indigenous teen protagonists
• Age-appropriate plots
• 2.5 – 4.5 Reading Level
• Contemporary and historical fiction
• Indigenous authors

The PathFinders series is from an American publisher. Therefore, Indigenous terminology in the PathFinders books is not the same as Canadian Indigenous terminology. This prompts a useful teaching moment for educators in discussing appropriate terminology use in Canada.

This book is also part of the Autumn Dawn Series, a subseries of the PathFinders.

Additional Information
120 pages | 4.50" x 7.00" | Paperback

A teenage survival expert finds all of his skills tested as he's pursued through the Canadian wilderness by men determined to silence him. On his way to teach at Camp Seven Generations, a Native outdoor school, Nick witnesses a murder and then is thrown off a train. Remembering and using the teachings of his Abenaki elders will prove to be the difference between life and death for him. Although his pursuers have modern technology to help them, Nick has something even more useful. In addition to the skills he's learned, he has an ally in the natural world around him. Found, like the famous story "The Most Dangerous Game,"is a tale that focuses on being hunted until a way can be found to become the hunter.

Reviews
Review from ALA Booklist: "This high/low adventure is the epitome of an adrenaline rush. It is a terrific survival story packed with fascinating facts (how to cover tracks and hide all evidence of a campsite, what to do if you find yourself in a cave with a bear) and wonderful nods to the Abenaki language and Native American cultural tenants of thanking animals and leaving no trace." — Becca Worthington

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 12+

Fry Reading Level: 4

This book is part of the PathFinders series. The PathFinders series of Hi-Lo (high interest, low readability) novels offers the following features:

• Indigenous teen protagonists
• Age-appropriate plots
• 2.5 – 4.5 Reading Level
• Contemporary and historical fiction
• Indigenous authors

The PathFinders series is from an American publisher. Therefore, Indigenous terminology in the PathFinders books is not the same as Canadian Indigenous terminology. This prompts a useful teaching moment for educators in discussing appropriate terminology use in Canada.

Additional Information
96 pages | 4.50" x 7.00" | Paperback

“I am the Elwha, rushing down to the sea. I am the Elwha, wild and free.”

The Elwha River flows 72 kilometres (45 miles) from its source in the Olympic Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the Pacific Northwest. Uniquely, it hosts all six salmon species (Pink, Chinook, Coho, Sockeye, Steelhead, and Chum) as well as several species of trout. 

In 1911 two dams were built on the river. The dams blocked the migration routes of the salmon and dramatically altered the entire river ecosystem for 100 years. In 2012 the dams were decommissioned and the world’s largest dam removal and habitat restoration project began.

In this lyrical and beautifully illustrated book, the author chronicles the history of the Elwha. Narrated by the powerful voices of plants and animals that inhabit the river ecosystem, the dam builder, a worker, and the river itself, this story celebrates the ongoing rewilding of this special environment and offers a welcome to all of the creatures who are coming home.

To learn more visit:  www.elwha.org

Awards

• 2021 Riverby Award for Young Readers

Reviews
"It can be tough for kids and adults to truly comprehend the impact of industrial development on nature because species and ecosystems can’t talk. If they could, what would they say? I Am the Elwha answers this question. About a century ago, the Elwha River in Washington State was blocked by a pair of dams that prevented salmon from spawning and caused populations to crash. In 2012, the first dam was demolished, followed by the second in 2014. The river rushed to the sea and habitat is slowly being restored. In I Am the Elwha, we hear from the river, lake, trees and animals about the impact of the dams and their removal. We also hear from the man who built the dam, the man who operated it, and members of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. In lyrical, rhythmic poetry, all of the players share their perspectives. “My people return, and my creatures and trees,” the river says in celebration. “I rush out to greet them: Welcome my children / welcome home, welcome home!” Colorful illustrations capture the pain of losing one’s home and the joy of having it rightfully returned. I Am the Elwha is a powerful read about a powerful river and those who value and protect it." - Raina Delisle, Hakai Magazine 

Educator Information
At the back of the book are three pages of cultural, scientific, and historical information that discuss the following:

• the importance and symbolism of salmon to the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and other Coastal Salish Tribes
• facts about the six species of salmon found in the Elwha River (Chinook, Pink, Chum, Sockeye, Coho, and Steelhead)
• the history of the Elwha River and its status today

Keywords / Subjects: The Elwha River, Rivers, Dams, History, Environmental Awareness, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, Coast Salish, Native American, Culture, Washington, Animals, Salmon, First Salmon Ceremony, Plants, Nature, Settlers, Social Responsibility, Environmental Activism, Poetry.

Recommended for grades 3 to 7.

Additional Information
32 Pages | 8.5" x 11" | ISBN: 9781771744744 | Hardcover

Authenticity Note: This lyrical story, which chronicles the history of the Elwha River, is written by Lori Peelen. Robert Elofson, Tribal Elder and Harvest Manager in the Natural Resources Department for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribes, approved Lori's work and contributed a few pages of back matter at the end of the work. Lori's story was further approved by Frances Charles, the Tribal Councilwoman for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, after the entire council read and approved it.

The Canadian Content label has been applied because the illustrator of this work is Canadian.

In her debut middle grade novel—inspired by her family’s history—Christine Day tells the story of a girl who uncovers her family’s secrets—and finds her own Native American identity.

All her life, Edie has known that her mom was adopted by a white couple. So, no matter how curious she might be about her Native American heritage, Edie is sure her family doesn’t have any answers.

Until the day when she and her friends discover a box hidden in the attic—a box full of letters signed “Love, Edith,” and photos of a woman who looks just like her.

Suddenly, Edie has a flurry of new questions about this woman who shares her name. Could she belong to the Native family that Edie never knew about? But if her mom and dad have kept this secret from her all her life, how can she trust them to tell her the truth now?

Reviews
“I Can Make This Promise manages to be both deeply sad and brightly hopeful, and Edie Green will steal readers’ hearts with her empathy and curious spirit—she certainly stole mine.” — Hayley Chewins, author of The Turnaway Girls

“Day’s novel brings an accessible, much-needed perspective about the very real consequences of Indigenous children being taken from their families and Native Nations. The absence of one’s tribal community, loss of culture and lack of connection to relatives have ripple effects for generations.” — Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), award-winning author of We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

Educator Information
Recommended Ages: 8 to 12

Additional Information
288 pages | 5.12" x 7.62" | Paperback

Twelve-year-old Mary and her Cherokee family are forced out of their home in Georgia by U.S. soldiers in May 1838. From the beginning of the forced move, Mary and her family are separated from her father. Facing horrors such as internment, violence, disease, and harsh weather, Mary perseveres and helps keep her family and friends together until they can reach the new Cherokee nation in Indian Territory. Featuring nonfiction support material, a glossary, and reader response questions, this  story explores the tragedy of forced removals following the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Reviews
"Highly Recommended. Andrea L. Rogers is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation. Her book, Mary and the Trail of Tears: A Cherokee Removal Survival Story came out on February 1, 2020. I've read it and I've followed conversations about it amongst citizens of the Cherokee Nation and am hoping for a review from a professor, soon. In the meantime, I want to make sure people order it for their children, or their classroom, or their library." — Dr. Debbie Reese, American Indians in Children's Literature

"When kids need reassurance in tough times (like now, for instance), we often point them to examples from the past, to moments of resilience and courage. Mary and the Trail of Tears is ideal for that. The book was lovingly crafted by Cherokee author, mama and educator Andrea L. Rogers. It’s a window to the forced relocation of Cherokee people from what’s currently called Georgia to Indian Territory. But more than that, the story offers an opportunity for kids to really get to know and care about Mary and her family, to relate to the Cherokees of their era as human beings. (For ages 8 to 12)"— NPR's Book Concierge Best Books of 2020, Cynthia Leitich Smith, author of Hearts Unbroken

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 8 to 12.

Additional Information
112 pages | 5.25" x 7.50" | 10 Colour Illustrations | Paperback 

An innovative retelling of the classic Christmas tale, this full-color book takes a whimsical look at what Christmas Eve might be like for a Native American family when Old Red Shirt comes a-calling with his team of flying white buffalo to deliver fry bread, commodities, and other goodies. Renowned Cherokee artist Jesse Hummingbird's inspired illustrations transform the author's playful adaptation into a fresh and modern work of art.

Reviews
“For a child, the poem presents an old story in a new light, complete with a Native Santa clad in buckskins, beadwork and carrying a medicine bundle. If that's not tradition, I don't know what is. As for the adults sharing the story, this is a poem that will at the very least, make you smile.” — The Circle News

Educator Information
Recommended for ages 3 to 5.

Themes / Keywords: Christmas; Holidays; Native American; Celebrations; Lyrical; Poetry; Traditions.

Additional Information
40 pages | 11.75" x 8.25" | Hardcover

Feel the power of the powwow dance.

Powwow is a celebration of Indigenous song and dance. It’s a journey through the history of powwow culture in North America, from its origins in colonization, the Indian Act and the Wild West shows of the late 1800s to the thriving powwow culture of today. As a lifelong competitive powwow dancer, Karen Pheasant-Neganigwane is a guide to the protocols, regalia, songs, dances and even food you can find at powwows from coast to coast, as well as the important role they play in Indigenous culture and reconciliation.

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 9 to 12.

Beginning with a historical look at the origins of the powwow and then moving on to what they look like today, this book is a practical guide to the songs, dances, regalia, culture, and food associated with different powwows across North America.

This book explores how powwow culture, and an understanding of its importance in Indigenous culture, can be a part of the narrative of reconciliation.

The author is a longtime competitive powwow dancer who has travelled to powwows across North America.

This book is part of the Orca Origins series that explores cultural celebrations throughout the world.

Keywords: powwow dance, Indigenous culture, reconciliation, history, ceremonial dance.

Recommended in the Canadian Indigenous Books for Schools 2020/2021 resource list for grades 4 to 8 for English Language Arts, Social Studies, and Dance.

Additional Information
88 pages | 7.50" x 9.00" | colour illustrations / photographs

Among the towering fir trees of the Pacific Northwest, a famously elusive creature is in serious trouble.

All Elliot wants is a nice, normal day at school. All Uchenna wants is an adventure. Guess whose wish comes true?

Professor Fauna whisks the kids—and Jersey, of course—off to the Muckleshoot territory in Washington, where film crews have suddenly descended en masse to expose Bigfoot to the world, and the Schmoke logging company is bringing in some awfully large machinery.

Can the Unicorn Rescue Society escape the blades of the Schmokes’ chain saws? Outsmart a cable news team? And are those big, hairy creatures running through the forest really Bigfoot?

Reviews
"As facts are interwoven and also combined with a multitude of puns, the narrative is informative and lighthearted.... Learning while laughing is the goal, and it is achieved." -School Library Journal

"The Muckleshoot reservation is the closest reservation to home for me, so it was great to see that Gidwitz worked with not only Native storyteller Bruchac, but with members of the tribal nation as well, and acknowledged the support and work of the tribal cultural director, a Muckleshoot language expert, and the creator of a font (SL Lushootseed Style True Type) that can accurately write the language. For teachers in the area, this would be a fun read." - Jessica on Goodreads

"Bruchac's tale about protecting the Sasquatch with the help of fellow members of the Unicorn Rescue Society is full of suspense and danger for the young members, caused by the malicious Schmoke Brothers. Readers will relate to the main characters of the Unicorn Society's fear (Elliot) and wonder (Uchenna) as they become enamored with Mack and his passsion to save the Muckleshoot's territory and the Sasquatch. A thrilling adventure packed with informative history of the Muckleshoot tribe that readers will love, the illustrations add jus the right flavor." - Martha on Goodreads

Educator & Series Information
Recommended for ages 7 to 10 (Children's Middle-Grade Book).

This book is part of the Unicorn Rescue Society series.

Additional Information
208 pages | 5.06" x 7.75"