Stories are a wonderful way to explore the heritage, culture, and experience of Indigenous peoples historically and in American life.
Check out Dawn Marie’s recommended reading list and expand your understanding during November’s National Native American Heritage Month.
Check out your local library to pick up these titles today or reserve your copy now from the Siouxland Library HERE
Title: Waterlily
Author: Ella Cara Deloria
Summary: The daily rituals of the Yankton Sioux in the Dakotas during the 19th century reveal their traditional values.
Title: Fry Bread: A Native American Story
Author: Kevin Noble Maillard
Summary: Using illustrations that show the diversity in Native America and spare poetic text that emphasizes fry bread in terms of provenance, this volume tells the story of a post-colonial food that is a shared tradition for Native American families all across the North American continent. Includes a recipe and an extensive author note that delves into the social ways, foodways, and politics of America’s 573 recognized tribes.
Title: Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto
Author: Vine Deloria Jr
Summary: The author speaks for his people in this witty confutation of almost everything the white man “knows” about Native Americans.
Title: We are Water Protectors
Author: Carole Lindstrom
Summary: Water is the first medicine. It affects and connects us all… When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth and poison her people’s water, one young water protector takes a stand to defend Earth’s most sacred resource. Inspired by the many indigenous-led movements across North America, this bold and lyrical picture book issues an urgent rallying cry to safeguard the Earth’s water from harm and corruption.
Title: In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
Author: Joseph Marshall
Summary: Expertly intertwining fiction and nonfiction, celebrated Brulé Lakota author Joseph Marshall III chronicles the many heroic deeds of Crazy Horse, especially his taking up arms against the U.S. government. He fiercely fought against encroachments on the territories and way of life of the Lakota people, including leading a war party to victory at the Battle of the Greasy Grass (the Battle of the Little Bighorn) and playing a major and dangerous role as decoy at the Battle of the Hundred in the Hands (the Fetterman Battle). With Sitting Bull, Crazy Horse was the last of the Lakota to surrender his people to the U.S. Army. Through his grandfather’s tales about the famous warrior, Jimmy learns about his Lakota heritage and, ultimately, himself.
About Dawn Marie:
Dawn Marie Johnson (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate) is Director of Leadership and Culture for the South Dakota Afterschool Network. She has a Masters in Social Work and more than 10 years experience working with tribal entities, public schools, and community programming.
