Celebrating Native American Heritage Month Through Reading
Each November, Native American Heritage Month invites us to recognize and honor the histories, traditions, languages, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across the United States. It’s a time not only for celebration but also for reflection—an opportunity to deepen our understanding of Native cultures and voices. One of the most meaningful ways to do this is through reading.
Books open doors to perspectives and stories that might otherwise remain unseen. When we read works by Native authors or books that authentically portray Indigenous experiences, we help ensure that these voices continue to be heard and valued. Reading becomes an act of both appreciation and advocacy.
Why Reading Matters
Reading stories by Native authors supports cultural awareness and empathy, especially among young readers. In classrooms and homes, these stories help children see the richness of Native traditions and the diversity within Native communities. For some readers, seeing their identities reflected in literature can be empowering; for others, it fosters respect and curiosity about cultures different from their own.
Books to Explore
Here are a few titles that celebrate Native stories for readers of all ages:
For Young Readers
- We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom (Ojibwe) – A beautifully illustrated picture book celebrating environmental stewardship and Indigenous activism.
- Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard (Seminole Nation)– A heartfelt celebration of family, tradition, and resilience.
- Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie (Spokane/Coeur d’Alene) – A picture book where the main character struggles with his name and tries to find a new one that better represents who he is.
For Middle Grades
- Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young (Navajo)– An adventure that weaves modern life and Navajo stories.
- Indian No More by Charlene Willing McManis (Umpqua) and Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation) – A novel that draws upon Umpqua author Charlene Willing McManis’s own tribal history which tells the story of a girl on a quest to understand her identity as an Indian despite being so far from home.
- Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek Nation) – A collection of intersecting stories and poems set at a powwow that bursts with hope, joy, resilience, the strength of community, and Native pride.
For Teens & Adults
- The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley (Ojibwe) – A young adult thriller that addresses social issues impacting Indigenous communities, such as the drug crisis, racism, colonialism, and violence against Native American women.
- There There by Tommy Orange (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes) – A multigenerational story about violence and recovery, memory and identity, and the beauty and despair woven into the history of a nation and its people.
- The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer (Ojibwe) – A compelling history that reframes Native American resilience and survival.
How to Celebrate Through Reading
- Create space for Native voices in classroom and home libraries or book clubs.
- Discuss what you read, focusing on themes of identity, resilience, and community.
- Invite guest speakers or virtual author visits from Native writers.
- Reflect on representation—whose stories are missing, and how can we bring them forward?
By reading and sharing Native stories, we help honor Indigenous heritage not just in November, but all year long. Books remind us that storytelling is one of humanity’s oldest and most powerful ways to preserve culture, inspire understanding, and connect us all.
OLD SCRATCH PRESS 