New Native American Children's Books - CECH Library New Native American Children's Literature - Research Guides at University of Cincinnati

NEW Native American Children's and YA Books Summer 2022

by Rachel Hoople on 2022-07-05T10:33:25-04:00 | 0 Comments

Call Number: F VAN

ISBN: 9781771621137

Publication Date: 2016

The Lesser Blessed tracks the exploits of Larry Sole, a Dogrib teenager living in the small Northern town of Fort Simmer. After losing much of his memory in a violent accident, what he loves more than anything is reading, hearing and collecting stories. With no interest in booze or sports, he floats on the edges of high school life, sustained by his love of Iron Maiden and a hopeless passion for school hottie Juliet Hope. When good-looking, trouble-seeking Johnny Beck moves into town, he shakes up Larry's dreamy existence and leads him into a life of sex, drugs and violence, bringing him face to face with memories that he's done his best to lose.

The Education of Augie Merasty by Joseph Auguste (Augie) Merasty; David Carpenter (Contribution by)

Call Number: j371.829 MER

ISBN: 9780889774575

Publication Date: 2017

A courageous and intimate memoir, The Education of Augie Merasty is the story of a child who faced the dark heart of humanity, let loose by the cruel policies of a bigoted nation. A retired fisherman and trapper who sometimes lived rough on the streets, Augie Merasty was one of an estimated 150,000 First Nations, Inuit, and Metis children who were taken from their families and sent to government-funded, church-run schools, where they were subjected to a policy of aggressive assimilation. As Augie recounts, these schools did more than attempt to mould children in the ways of white society. They were taught to be ashamed of their heritage and, as he experienced, often suffered physical and sexual abuse. But even as he looks back on this painful part of his childhood, Merasty's sense of humour and warm voice shine through.

The Sea-Ringed World by Maria Garcia Esperon; Amanda Mijangos (Illustrator); David Bowles (Translator)

Call Number: j398.2097 GAR

ISBN: 9781646140152

Publication Date: 2021

A collection of stories from nations and cultures across our two continents--the Sea-Ringed World, as the Aztecs called it--from the Andes all the way up to Alaska. Fifteen thousand years before Europeans stepped foot in the Americas, people had already spread from tip to tip and coast to coast. Like all humans, these Native Americans sought to understand their place in the universe, the nature of their relationship with the divine, and the origin of the world into which their ancestors had emerged. The answers lay in their sacred stories.

Counting Coup by Joseph Medicine Crow with Herman J. Viola

Call Number: j978.6004 MED

ISBN: 9780792253914

Publication Date: 2006

Picture a Crow Indian elder, his wizened eyes catching yours in the ancient flicker of firelight. His mesmerizing stories span the ages, from Custer to World War II to the 21st Century. He is the last traditional chief of his people. He is over 90 years old. Now picture that same man lecturing at colleges nationwide, and addressing the United Nations on the subject of peace. National Geographic presents the amazing life story of Joseph Medicine Crow, the man who begins life as Winter Man. Trained as a warrior by his grandfather, Yellowtail, he bathes in icy rivers and endures the ceremony of "counting coup"-facing fierce combat with an enemy Sioux boy. An operation at the local hospital brings the young Crow face-to-face with his worst fears: a Sioux, a ghost, and a white man. He excels at the white man's school and is raised in the Baptist faith. He translates the stories of the elder chiefs, becoming the link to the ancient traditions of the pre-reservation generation. His own dramatic and funny stories span both ages, and the ancient Crow legends are passed on in the storytelling tradition.

Raven Makes the Aleutians by Adapted from a traditional Native story; Illustrated by Janine Gibbons

Call Number: j398.208997 RAV

ISBN: 9781946019226

Publication Date: 2018

After the flood, Raven falls from the sky far out to sea. How will he get back to the mainland? With the help of a friendly sea otter, Raven comes up with a plan. Will Raven reach the shore?

They Called Me Number One by Bev Sellars

Call Number: j371.829 SEL

ISBN: 9780889227415

Publication Date: 2013

Xat'sull Chief Bev Sellars spent her childhood in a church-run residential school whose aim it was to "civilize" Native children through Christian teachings, forced separation from family and culture, and discipline. In addition, beginning at the age of five, Sellars was isolated for two years at Coqualeetza Indian Turberculosis Hospital in Sardis, British Columbia, nearly six hours' drive from home. The trauma of these experiences has reverberated throughout her life. The first full-length memoir to be published out of St. Joseph's Mission at Williams Lake, BC, Sellars tells of three generations of women who attended the school, interweaving the personal histories of her grandmother and her mother with her own. She tells of hunger, forced labour, and physical beatings, often with a leather strap, and also of the demand for conformity in a culturally alien institution where children were confined and denigrated for failure to be White and Roman Catholic. Like Native children forced by law to attend schools across Canada and the United States, Sellars and other students of St. Joseph's Mission were allowed home only for two months in the summer and for two weeks at Christmas. The rest of the year they lived, worked, and studied at the school. St. Joseph's Mission is the site of the controversial and well-publicized sex-related offences of Bishop Hubert O'Connor, which took place during Sellars's student days, between 1962 and 1967, when O'Connor was the school principal. After the school's closure, those who had been forced to attend came from surrounding reserves and smashed windows, tore doors and cabinets from the wall, and broke anything that could be broken. Overnight their anger turned a site of shameful memory into a pile of rubble.

Soldiers Unknown by Chag Lowry; Rahsan Ekedal (Illustrator)

Call Number: GN LOW

ISBN: 9781942279280

Publication Date: 2019

The Klamath River, 1918. The native Yurok people of Northern California have been untouched by the savage world war raging in Europe--until now. Three cousins are called to serve a nation that has given little but cruelty to their people. Thrust into battle on the Western Front, these young men struggle to preserve their humanity while facing the unspeakable horrors of the greatest military conflict ever known.

Super Indian Volume One by Arigon Starr

Call Number: GN STA

ISBN: 9789870985952

Publication Date: 2012

Hubert Logan was an ordinary Reservation Boy until he ate tainted commodity cheese infused with 'Rezium,' a secret government food enrichment additive. Known as 'Super Indian,' Hubert fights evil forces who would overtake the Reservation's resources and population. Assisted by his trusty sidekicks Mega Bear and Diogi, they fight crime the way they know how -- with strength, smarts and humor.

Super Indian Volume Two by Arigon Starr (Artist); Janet Miner (Editor)

Call Number: GN STA

ISBN: 9780985953522

Publication Date: 2015

In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall; James Mark Yellowhawk (Illustrator)

Call Number: J MAR

ISBN: 9781419707858

Publication Date: 2015

Jimmy McClean is a Lakota boy, though you wouldn't guess it by his name. His mother is Lakota, and his father is half white and half Lakota. Over summer break, Jimmy embarks on a journey with his grandfather, Nyles High Eagle. While on the road, his grandfather tells him the story of Crazy Horse, one of the most important figures in Lakota, and American, history. 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. Drawing references and inspiration from the oral stories of the Lakota tradition, Marshall gives readers an insider's perspective on the life of Tasunke Witko, better known as Crazy Horse.

The Outside Circle by Patti Laboucane-Benson; Kelly Mellings (Illustrator)

Call Number: GN LAB

ISBN: 9781770899377

Publication Date: 2015

In this important graphic novel, two brothers surrounded by poverty, drug abuse, and gang violence, try to overcome centuries of historic trauma in very different ways to bring about positive change in their lives. Pete, a young Indigenous man wrapped up in gang violence, lives with his younger brother, Joey, and his mother who is a heroin addict. One night, Pete and his mother's boyfriend, Dennis, get into a big fight, which sends Dennis to the morgue and Pete to jail. Initially, Pete keeps up ties to his crew, until a jail brawl forces him to realize the negative influence he has become on Joey, which encourages him to begin a process of rehabilitation that includes traditional Indigenous healing circles and ceremonies. Powerful, courageous, and deeply moving, The Outside Circle is drawn from the author's twenty years of work and research on healing and reconciliation of gang-affiliated or incarcerated Indigenous men.

Lightfinder by Aaron Paquette

Call Number: F PAQ

ISBN: 9780986874079

Publication Date: 2014

Aisling, a young Cree woman, sets out into the wilderness with her Kokum (grandmother), Aunty and two young men she barely knows. They have to find and rescue her runaway younger brother, Eric. Along the way she learns that the legends of her people might be real and that she has a growing power of her own.

The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich

Call Number: J ERD

ISBN: 9780786803002

Publication Date: 1999

Omakayas, a seven-year-old Native American girl of the Ojibwa tribe, lives through the joys of summer and the perils of winter on an island in Lake Superior in 1847.

A Coyote Solstice Tale by Thomas King; Gary Clement (Illustrator)

Call Number: E KIN

ISBN: 9780888999290

Publication Date: 2009

Wily trickster Coyote is having his friends over for a little solstice get-together in the woods when a little girl comes by unexpectedly. She leads the friends through the snowy woods to the mall -- a place they had never seen before. The trickster goes crazy with glee as he shops with abandon, only to discover that filling a shopping cart with goodies is not quite the same thing as actually paying for them. The trickster is tricked and goes back to his cabin in the woods -- somewhat subdued -- though nothing can keep Coyote down for long. Thomas King is known for his fiction featuring Canada's Native people, while Gary Clement's artwork has appeared in several popular children's books. A Coyote Solstice Tale blends King's brilliant deadpan humor and Clement's evocative watercolors in this witty critique of consumerism and consumption aimed at all ages.

Baby Learns about Colors by Beverly Blacksheep (Illustrator); Peter Thomas (Translator); Jessie Ruffenach (Editor)

Call Number: E BAB

ISBN: 9781893354487

Publication Date: 2004

Join Baby as she explores the outdoors and learns about the colors that surround her house. Her outdoor activities include tossing a red ball with brother and picking a yellow flower for mother. With each action, Baby learns a new color.

Baby Learns about Animals by Beverly Blacksheep (Illustrator); Peter Thomas (Translator); Jessie Ruffenach (Editor)

Call Number: E BAB

ISBN: 9781893354494

Publication Date: 2004

Today Baby is outside helping feed the family animals. Baby gives oats to the horse and grains to the sheep. In this charming story, Baby also learns the names of animals.

Baby's First Laugh by Beverly Blacksheep (Illustrator); Jessie Ruffenach (Editor); Peter Thomas (Translator); Bahe Whitethorne (Designed by)

Call Number: E BAB

ISBN: 9781893354395

Publication Date: 2003

Who will make Baby laugh? Will it be father, older sister, grandma, or someone else in the family? Read this delightful story to find out!

Learning My Rights with Mousewoman by written and illustrated by Morgan Asoyuf, Ts'msyen

Call Number: E ASO

ISBN: 9781554766260

Publication Date: 2021

The tiny but mighty Mousewoman is a legendary figure in the oral and visual practices of Northwest Coast Indigenous cultures. She is both grandmother and oracle, able to travel in and out of the spirit world. Mousewoman sits on young people's shoulders in crucial times, whispering advice and knowledge. She protects and guides young people by helping them avoid or escape bad situations, and is never afraid to stand up to bigger beings. This book brings to life the timeless lessons of Mousewoman -- lessons that embody the principles outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Child and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. A first of its kind, this book empowers children to become proudly aware of their rights.

Danny Blackgoat, Navajo Prisoner by Tim Tingle

Call Number: J TIN

ISBN: 9781939053039

Publication Date: 2013

Danny Blackgoat is a teenager in Navajo country when soldiers burn down his home, kill his sheep and capture his family. During the Long Walk of 1864, Danny is labeled a troublemaker and given the name Fire Eye. Refusing to accept captivity, he is sent to Fort Davis, Texas, a Civil War prisoner outpost. There he battles bullying fellow prisoners, rattlesnakes and abusive soldiers until he meets Jim Davis. Jim teaches Danny how to hold his anger and starts him on the road to literacy. In a stunning climax, Jim--who builds coffins for the dead--aids Danny in a daring and dangerous escape. Set in troubled times, Danny Blackgoatis the story of one boy's hunger to be free andbe Navajo.

The Mask That Sang by Susan Currie

Call Number: J CUR

ISBN: 9781772600131

Publication Date: 2016

Cass and her mom have always stood on their own against the world. Then Cass learns she had a grandmother, one who was never part of her life, one who has just died and left her and her mother the first house they could call their own. But with it comes more questions than answers: Why is her Mom so determined not to live there? Why was this relative kept so secret? And what is the unusual mask, forgotten in a drawer, trying to tell her? Strange dreams, strange voices, and strange incidents all lead Cass closer to solving the mystery and making connections she never dreamed she had.

Peggy Flanagan by Jessica Engelking

Call Number: B FLA

ISBN: 9781634894463

Publication Date: 2021

The Minnesota Humanities Center presents Minnesota Native American Lives, three stories of exceptional individuals across sports, language, and government! Peggy Flanagan is the Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota. This is the second-highest office in the state. She is the first Native woman to hold such a high elected statewide office in the United States. Her whole life she knew that the school system doesn't tell American Indian stories in a true way. Peggy is working hard to change how Native peoples' stories are told and to make life better for all Minnesotans. Her story is a Minnesota Native American life. The Minnesota Native American Lives Series includes biographies of Charles Albert Bender, Ella Cara Deloria, and Peggy Flanagan. Read all three!

Native Defenders of the Environment by Vincent Schilling

Call Number: j333.72092 SCH

ISBN: 9780977918379

Publication Date: 2011

From the Native Trailblazers series comes a new book with the stories of twelve brave people who work tirelessly to save our environment. These are stories of courage, determination and resistance to multinational corporations and disastrous government policies that are harming the planet. Readers will learn about Grace Thorpe, who worked to keep Native reservations from becoming nuclear waste dumps; Tom Goldtooth, the director of the Indigenous Environmental Network; and Winona LaDuke, who works on a national level to raise public support and create funding for Native environmental groups. Read about the next generation of Native environmentalists, including Ben Powless, a founding organizer of the Canadian Youth Climate Coalition; Melina Laboucan-Massimo, tar sands campaigner for Greenpeace Canada; and Teague Allston, an intern with the National Wildlife Federation tribal and public lands program.

A Snake Falls to Earth by Darcie Little Badger

Call Number: F LIT

ISBN: 9781646140923

Publication Date: 2021

A Snake Falls to Earth is a breathtaking work of Indigenous futurism. Darcie Little Badger draws on traditional Lipan Apache storytelling structure to weave another unforgettable tale of monsters, magic, and family. It is not to be missed. Nina is a Lipan girl in our world. She's always felt there was something more out there. She still believes in the old stories. Oli is a cottonmouth kid, from the land of spirits and monsters. Like all cottonmouths, he's been cast from home. He's found a new one on the banks of the bottomless lake. Nina and Oli have no idea the other exists. But a catastrophic event on Earth, and a strange sickness that befalls Oli's best friend, will drive their worlds together in ways they haven't been in centuries. And there are some who will kill to keep them apart.

Moccasin Square Gardens by Richard Van Camp

Call Number: F VAN

ISBN: 9781771622165

Publication Date: 2019

The characters of Moccasin Square Gardens inhabit Denendeh, the land of the people north of the sixtieth parallel. These stories are filled with in-laws, outlaws and common-laws. Get ready for illegal wrestling moves ("The Camel Clutch"), pinky promises, a doctored casino, extraterrestrials or "Sky People," love, lust and prayers for peace. While this is Van Camp's most hilarious short story collection, it's also haunted by the lurking presence of the Wheetago, human-devouring monsters of legend that have returned due to global warming and the greed of humanity. The stories in Moccasin Square Gardens show that medicine power always comes with a price. To counteract this darkness, Van Camp weaves a funny and loving portrayal of the Tłı̨chǫ Dene and other communities of the North, drawing from oral history techniques to perfectly capture the character and texture of everyday small-town life. "Moccasin Square Gardens" is the nickname of a dance hall in the town of Fort Smith that serves as a meeting place for a small but diverse community. In the same way, the collection functions as a meeting place for an assortment of characters, from shamans and time-travelling goddess warriors to pop-culture-obsessed pencil pushers, to con artists, archivists and men who just need to grow up, all seeking some form of connection.

Tilly by Monique Gray Smith

Call Number: F GRA

ISBN: 9781550392098

Publication Date: 2014

Tilly has always known she's part Lakota on her dad's side. She's grown up with the traditional teachings of her grandma, relishing the life lessons of her beloved mentor. But it isn't until an angry man shouts something on the street that Tilly realizes her mom is Aboriginal too--a Cree woman taken from her own parents as a baby. Tilly feels her mother's pain deeply. She's always had trouble fitting in at school, and when her grandma dies unexpectedly, her anchor is gone. Then Abby, a grade-seven classmate, invites her home for lunch and offers her "something special" to drink. Nothing has prepared Tilly for the tingling in her legs, the buzz in her head and the awesome feeling that she can do anything. From then on, partying seems to offer an escape from her insecurities. But after one dangerously drunken evening, Tilly knows she has to change. Summoning her courage, she begins the long journey to finding pride in herself and her heritage. Just when she needs it most, a mysterious stranger offers some wise counsel: "Never question who you are or who your people are. It's in your eyes. I know it's in your heart." Loosely based on author Monique Gray Smith's own life, this revealing, important work of creative nonfiction tells the story of a young indigenous woman coming of age in the 1980s.

Dreaming in Indian by Lisa Charleyboy (Editor); Mary Beth Leatherdale (Editor)

Call Number: j704.0397 DRE

ISBN: 9781554516865

Publication Date: 2016

A powerful and visually stunning anthology from some of the most groundbreaking Native artists working in North America today. Truly universal in its themes, Dreaming In Indian will shatter commonly held stereotypes and challenge readers to rethink their own place in the world. Divided into four sections, 'Roots,' 'Battles,' 'Medicines,' and 'Dreamcatchers,' this book offers readers a unique insight into a community often misunderstood and misrepresented by the mainstream media. Emerging and established Native artists, including acclaimed author Joseph Boyden, renowned visual artist Bunky Echo Hawk, and stand-up comedian Ryan McMahon, contribute thoughtful and heartfelt pieces on their experiences growing up Indigenous, expressing them through such mediums as art, food, the written word, sport, dance, and fashion. Renowned chef Aaron Bear Robe, for example, explains how he introduces restaurant customers to his culture by reinventing traditional dishes. And in a dramatic photo spread, model Ashley Callingbull and photographer Thosh Collins reappropriate the trend of wearing 'Native' clothing.

Beaver Steals Fire by Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

Call Number: j398.24 BEA

ISBN: 9780803216402

Publication Date: 2008

A long time ago, fire belonged only to the animals in the land above, not to those on the earth below. Curlew, keeper of the sky world, guarded fire and kept it from the earth. Coyote, however, devised a clever plan to steal fire, aided by Grizzly Bear, Wren, Snake, Frog, Eagle, and Beaver. These brave and resourceful animal beings raided the land above and risked all to steal fire from Curlew. Beaver Steals Fire is an ancient and powerful tale springing from the hearts and experiences of the Salish people of Montana. Steeped in the rich and culturally vital storytelling tradition of the tribe, this tale teaches both respect for fire and awareness of its significance, themes particularly relevant today.

Jingle Dancer by Cynthia L. Smith; Cornelius Van Wright (Illustrator); Ying-Hwa Hu (Illustrator)

Call Number: E SMI

ISBN: 9780688162412

Publication Date: 2000

New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Leitich Smith's lyrical text is paired with the warm, evocative watercolors of Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu in this affirming story of a contemporary Native American girl who turns to her family and community. The cone-shaped jingles sewn to Grandma Wolfe's dress sing tink, tink, tink, tink... Jenna loves the tradition of jingle dancing that has been shared over generations in her family and intertribal community. She hopes to dance at the next powwow. But with the day quickly approaching, she has a problem--how will her dress sing if it has no jingles?

Hiawatha and the Peacemaker by Robbie Robertson; David Shannon (Illustrator)

Call Number: E ROB

ISBN: 9781419712203

Publication Date: 2015

Born of Mohawk and Cayuga descent, musical icon Robbie Robertson learned the story of Hiawatha and his spiritual guide, the Peacemaker, as part of the Iroquois oral tradition. Now he shares the same gift of storytelling with a new generation. Hiawatha was a strong and articulate Mohawk who was chosen to translate the Peacemaker's message of unity for the five warring Iroquois nations during the 14th century. This message not only succeeded in uniting the tribes but also forever changed how the Iroquois governed themselves - a blueprint for democracy that would later inspire the authors of the U.S. Constitution. Caldecott Honor-winning illustrator David Shannon brings the journey of Hiawatha and the Peacemaker to life with arresting oil paintings. Together, Robertson and Shannon have crafted a new children's classic that will both educate and inspire readers of all ages.

Mission to Space by John Herrington

Call Number: j629.45 HER

ISBN: 9781935684473

Publication Date: 2016

Go on a Mission to Space with Chickasaw astronaut John Herrington, as he shares his flight on the space shuttle Endeavour and his thirteen-day mission to the international Space Station. Learn what it takes to train for space flight, see the tasks he completed in space, and join him on his spacewalk 220 miles above the earth.

Caribou Song by Tomson Highway; John Rombough (Illustrator)

Call Number: E HIG

ISBN: 9781927083499

Publication Date: 2016

Joe and Cody are young Cree brothers who follow the caribou all year long, tucked into their dog sled with Mama and Papa. To entice the wandering herds, Joe plays his accordion and Cody dances, whirling like a young caribou. They are so busy playing and dancing, they don't hear the rumble of the caribou. Bursting from the forest, ten thousand animals fill the meadow. Joe is engulfed; he can barely see Cody a few yards away. Their parents seem to have disappeared. And yet what should be a moment of terror turns into something mystical and magical, as the boys open their arms and their hearts to embrace the caribou spirit.

Mii Maanda Ezhi-Gkendmaanh / This Is How I Know by Brittany Luby; Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Illustrator)

Call Number: E LUB

ISBN: 9781773063263

Publication Date: 2021

In this lyrical story-poem, written in Anishinaabemowin and English, a child and grandmother explore their surroundings, taking pleasure in the familiar sights that each new season brings. We accompany them through warm summer days full of wildflowers, bees and blueberries, then fall, when bears feast before hibernation and forest mushrooms are ripe for harvest. Winter mornings begin in darkness as deer, mice and other animals search for food, while spring brings green shoots poking through melting snow and the chirping of peepers. Brittany Luby and Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley have created a book inspired by childhood memories of time spent with Knowledge Keepers, observing and living in relationship with the natural world in the place they call home -- the northern reaches of Anishinaabewaking, around the Great Lakes.

Kohala Kuamoo by Kekaulelenaeole A. Kawaiae; Aaron A Kawaiae (Illustrator)

Call Number: E KAW

ISBN: 9780873362320

Publication Date: 2010

A boy learns about his ancestor Naeʻole through a homework assignment to find out what his Hawaiian name means.

Mohala Mai o Hau by Robert Lono Ikuwa (Text by); Matthew Kawika Ortiz (Illustrator)

Call Number: E IKU

ISBN: 9780873362399

Publication Date: 2010

Hau, a young girl from Koolauloa, is overshadowed by her beautiful and talented older sisters named Niu, Pühala, and Lehua. But with the help of her kupuna, Hau begins to blossom as she discovers her unique talents and contributions.

SkySisters by Jan Bourdeau Waboose; Brian Deines (Illustrator)

Call Number: E WAB

ISBN: 9781550746990

Publication Date: 2002

Two Ojibway sisters set off across the frozen north country to see the SkySpirits' midnight dance. It isn't easy for the younger sister to be silent, but gradually she begins to treasure the stillness and the wonderful experiences it brings. After an exhilarating walk and patient waiting, the girls are rewarded by the arrival of the SkySpirits --- the northern lights --- dancing and shimmering in the night sky. This powerful story, with its stunning illustrations, captures the chill of a northern night, the warmth of the family circle and the radiance of a child's wonder.

Sitting Bull by S. D. Nelson

Call Number: B SIT

ISBN: 9781419707315

Publication Date: 2015

Sitting Bull (c. 1831-1890) was one of the greatest Lakota/Sioux warriors and chiefs who ever lived. He was eventually named war chief, leader of the entire Sioux nation--a title never before bestowed on anyone. As a leader, Sitting Bull resisted the United States government's attempt to move the Lakota/Sioux to reservations for more than twenty-five years. From Sitting Bull's childhood--killing his first buffalo at age ten--to being named war chief, to leading his people against the U.S. Army, and to his surrender, Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of His People brings the story of the great chief to light. Sitting Bull was instrumental in the war against the invasive wasichus (White Man) and was at the forefront of the combat, including the Battles of Killdeer Mountain and the Little Bighorn. He and Crazy Horse were the last Lakota/Sioux to surrender their people to the U.S. government and resort to living on a reservation. Award-winning author and member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe S. D. Nelson intersperses archival images with his own artwork, inspired by the ledger-art drawings of the nineteenth-century Lakota. Through the art and riveting story, Nelson conveys how Sitting Bull clung to his belief that the Lakota were a free people meant to live, hunt, and die on the Great Plains.

Classified by Traci Sorell; Natasha Donovan (Illustrator)

Call Number: B ROS

ISBN: 9781541579149

Publication Date: 2021

Mary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation's first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work. Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross's journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. In addition, the narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all.

Look, Grandma! ni, Elisi! by Art Coulson; Madelyn Goodnight (Illustrator)

Call Number: E COU

ISBN: 9781623542030

Publication Date: 2021

Bo wants to find the perfect container to show off his traditional marbles for the Cherokee national Holiday. It needs to be just the right size- big enough to fit all the marbles, but not too big to fit in his family's booth at the festival for the Cherokee National Holiday. And it needs to look good! With his grandmother's help, Bo tries many containers until he finds just the right one. A playful exploration of volume and capacity featuring Native characters and a glossary of Cherokee words. Storytelling Math celebrates children using math in their daily adventures as they play, build, and discover the world around them.

A Coyote Columbus Story by Thomas King; William Kent Monkman (Illustrator)

Call Number: E KIN

ISBN: 9780888998309

Publication Date: 2007

A retelling of the Christopher Columbus story from a Native point of view turns this tale on its ear! Coyote, the trickster, creates the world and all the creatures in it. She is able to control all events to her advantage until a funny-looking red-haired man named Columbus changes her plans. He is unimpressed by the wealth of moose, turtles and beavers in Coyote's land. Instead he is interested in the human beings he can take to sell in Spain. Thomas King uses a bag of literary tricks to shatter the stereotypes surrounding Columbus's voyages. In doing so, he invites children to laugh with him at the crazy antics of Coyote, who unwittingly allows Columbus to bring about the downfall of her human friends. And he makes the point that history is influenced by the culture of the reporter.

Fighter in Velvet Gloves by Annie Boochever

Call Number: j323.1197 BOO

ISBN: 9781602234451

Publication Date: 2021

In 1945, Elizabeth Peratrovich stood before the Alaska Territorial Legislative Session and gave a powerful speech about her childhood and her experiences being treated as a second-class citizen. Her heartfelt testimony led to the passing of the landmark Alaska Anti-Discrimination Act, America's first civil rights legislation. Today, Alaska celebrates Elizabeth Peratrovich Day every February 16, and Elizabeth Peratrovich was honored on the gold dollar coin in 2020. Annie Boochever worked with Elizabeth's eldest son, Roy Peratrovich Jr., to bring Elizabeth's story to life in the first book written for young teens on this remarkable Alaska Native woman. Written about an Alaska Native civil rights leader, Fighter in Velvet Gloves has been incorporated in school curricula around the country, in addition to receiving many other national recognitions.

Moonshot: the Indigenous Comics Collection (Vol. 1) by Hope Nicholson (Editor)

Call Number: GN MOO

ISBN: 9781774503690

Publication Date: 2021

MOONSHOT: The Indigenous Comics Collection brings together dozens of creators from North America to contribute comic book stories showcasing the rich heritage and identity of indigenous storytelling. From traditional stories to exciting new visions of the future, this collection presents some of the finest comic book and graphic novel work on the continent.

On the Trapline by David A. Robertson; Julie Flett (Illustrator)

Call Number: E ROB

ISBN: 9780735266681

Publication Date: 2021

The Governor General Award--winning team behind When We Were Alone shares a story that honors our connections to our past and our grandfathers and fathers. A boy and Moshom, his grandpa, take a trip together to visit a place of great meaning to Moshom. A trapline is where people hunt and live off the land, and it was where Moshom grew up. As they embark on their northern journey, the child repeatedly asks his grandfather, "Is this your trapline?" Along the way, the boy finds himself imagining what life was like two generations ago -- a life that appears to be both different from and similar to his life now. This is a heartfelt story about memory, imagination and intergenerational connection that perfectly captures the experience of a young child's wonder as he is introduced to places and stories that hold meaning for his family.

Notable Native People by Adrienne Keene; Ciara Sana (Illustrator)

Call Number: j920.009297 KEE

ISBN: 9781984857941

Publication Date: 2021

An accessible and educational illustrated book profiling 50 notable American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people, from NBA star Kyrie Irving of the Standing Rock Lakota to Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation. Celebrate the lives, stories, and contributions of Indigenous artists, activists, scientists, athletes, and other changemakers in this beautifully illustrated collection. From luminaries of the past, like nineteenth-century sculptor Edmonia Lewis-the first Black and Native American female artist to achieve international fame-to contemporary figures like linguist jessie little doe baird, who revived the Wampanoag language, Notable Native People highlights the vital impact Indigenous dreamers and leaders have made on the world. This powerful and informative collection also offers accessible primers on important Indigenous issues, from the legacy of colonialism and cultural appropriation to food sovereignty, land and water rights, and more. An indispensable read for people of all backgrounds seeking to learn about Native American heritage, histories, and cultures, Notable Native People will educate and inspire readers of all ages.

The People Shall Continue by Simon J. Ortiz; Sharol Graves (Illustrator)

Call Number: j970.004 ORT

ISBN: 9780892391257

Publication Date: 2017

This powerful story by renowned Acoma Pueblo poet and storyteller Simon J. Ortiz traces the history of Native / Indigenous people of North America from the time of creation to the present. Many, many years ago, all things came to be. The stars, rocks, plants, rivers, animals. Mountains, sun, moon, birds, all things. And the People were born. Told in the rhythms of traditional oral narrative, this powerful telling of the history of the Native/Indigenous peoples of North America recounts their story from Creation to the invasion and usurpation of Native lands. As more and more people arrived, The People saw that the new men did not respect the land. The People witnessed the destruction of their Nations and the enslavement of their people. The People fought hard, but eventually agreed to stop fighting and signed treaties. Many things changed and became more difficult, but The People continued to farm and create crafts. They remembered and told their children, "You are Shawnee. You are Lakota. You are Pima. You are Acoma... You are all these Nations of the People." The People held onto their beliefs and customs and found solidarity with other oppressed people. And despite struggles against greed, destruction of their lands, and oppression, The People persisted.

Trickster by Matt Dembicki (Editor); Joseph Bruchac (Introduction by)

Call Number: GN TRI

ISBN: 9781682752739

Publication Date: 2021

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, 24 Native storytellers were paired with 24 comic artists, telling cultural tales from across America. Ranging from serious and dramatic to funny and sometimes downright fiendish, these tales bring tricksters back into popular culture.

Fire Starters by Jen Storm; Scott B. Henderson (Illustrator); Donovan Yaciuk (Illustrator)

Call Number: GN STO

ISBN: 9781553796855

Publication Date: 2016

Fire Starters tackles restorative justice on a contemporary reserve in Northwestern Ontario. When two white teenagers accidentally set fire to a gas station, their Indigenous classmates are wrongly accused. The truth slowly comes to light as contrasting systems of justice are explored--both the traditional ways of the community and Canadian law enforcement. Fire Starters explores prejudice, racism, and what reconciliation could look like, "moving it from a concept to [an] on-the-ground example of what reconciliation could mean, in action, in a small community."

What the Eagle Sees by Eldon Yellowhorn; Kathy Lowinger

Call Number: j970.00497 YEL

ISBN: 9781773213286

Publication Date: 2019

What do people do when their civilization is invaded? Indigenous people have been faced with disease, war, broken promises, and forced assimilation. Despite crushing losses and insurmountable challenges, they formed new nations from the remnants of old ones, they adopted new ideas and built on them, they fought back, and they kept their cultures alive. When the only possible "victory" was survival, they survived. In this brilliant follow up to Turtle Island, esteemed academic Eldon Yellowhorn and award-winning author Kathy Lowinger team up again, this time to tell the stories of what Indigenous people did when invaders arrived on their homelands. What the Eagle Sees shares accounts of the people, places, and events that have mattered in Indigenous history from a vastly under-represented perspective--an Indigenous viewpoint.

Those Who Dwell Below by Aviaq Johnston; Toma Feizo Gas (Illustrator)

Call Number: F JOH

ISBN: 9781772272352

Publication Date: 2019

Haunted by the vicious creatures of his recent past, Pitu tries to go back to a normal life at home after the other-worldly travels and near-death encounters of his recent disappearance into the world of the spirits. But Pitu knows that there is more work to be done, and more that he must learn in his new role as a shaman. When word of a starving village nearby reaches Pitu, he must go help its people appease the angry spirits. It soon becomes clear that Pitu must travel to the bottom of the ocean to meet Nuliajuk, the vengeful woman below, one of the most powerful beings in Inuit mythology. There he learns about his role in saving the starving community and that all in his home camp may not be as it seems . . .

Those Who Run in the Sky by Aviaq Johnston; Toma Feizo Gas (Illustrator)

Call Number: F JOH

ISBN: 9781772271218

Publication Date: 2017

This teen novel, written by Iqaluit-based Inuit author Aviaq Johnston, is a coming-of-age story that follows a young shaman named Pitu as he learns to use his powers and ultimately finds himself lost in the world of the spirits. After a strange and violent blizzard leaves Pitu stranded on the sea ice, without his dog team or any weapons to defend himself, he soon realizes that he is no longer in the word that he once knew. The storm has carried him into the world of the spirits, a world populated with terrifying creatures---black wolves with red eyes, ravenous and constantly stalking him; water-dwelling creatures that want nothing more than to snatch him and pull him into the frigid ocean through an ice crack. As well as beings less frightening, but equally as incredible, such as a lone giant who can carry Pitu in the palm of her hand and keeps caribou and polar bears as pets. After stumbling upon a fellow shaman who has been trapped in the spirit world for many years, Pitu must master all of his shamanic powers to make his way back to the world of the living, to his family, and to the girl that he loves.

Between the deep blue sea and me by Lurline Wailana McGregor

Call Number: F MCG

ISBN: 9780873362061

Publication Date: 2008

Moana Kawelo, PhD, has a promising career as a museum curator in Los Angeles. The untimely death of her father--and the gravitational pull of Hawaii when she returns home for his funeral--causes Moana to question her motivations and her glamorous life in California. Between the Deep Blue Sea and Me is the story of Moana's struggle to understand her ancestral responsibilities, mend relationships, and find her identity as a Hawaiian in today's world.

The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline

Call Number: F DIM

ISBN: 9781770864863

Publication Date: 2017

Just when you think you have nothing left to lose, they come for your dreams. Humanity has nearly destroyed its world through global warming, but now an even greater evil lurks. The Indigenous people of North America are being hunted and harvested for their bone marrow, which carries the key to recovering something the rest of the population has lost: the ability to dream. In this dark world, Frenchie and his companions struggle to survive as they make their way up north to the old lands. For now, survival means staying hidden - but what they don't know is that one of them holds the secret to defeating the marrow thieves.

Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese

Call Number: F WAG

ISBN: 9781571311306

Publication Date: 2018

Saul Indian Horse is a child when his family retreats into the woods. Among the lakes and the cedars, they attempt to reconnect with half-forgotten traditions and hide from the authorities who have been kidnapping Ojibway youth. But when winter approaches, Saul loses everything: his brother, his parents, his beloved grandmother--and then his home itself. Alone in the world and placed in a horrific boarding school, Saul is surrounded by violence and cruelty. At the urging of a priest, he finds a tentative salvation in hockey. Rising at dawn to practice alone, Saul proves determined and undeniably gifted. His intuition and vision are unmatched. His speed is remarkable. Together they open doors for him: away from the school, into an all-Ojibway amateur circuit, and finally within grasp of a professional career. Yet as Saul's victories mount, so do the indignities and the taunts, the racism and the hatred--the harshness of a world that will never welcome him, tied inexorably to the sport he loves. Spare and compact yet undeniably rich, Indian Horse is at once a heartbreaking account of a dark chapter in our history and a moving coming-of-age story.

If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth

Call Number: J GAN

ISBN: 9780545417310

Publication Date: 2015

Lewis "Shoe" Blake is used to the joys and difficulties of life on the Tuscarora Indian reservation in 1975: the joking, the Fireball games, the snow blowing through his roof. What he's not used to is white people being nice to him -- people like George Haddonfield, whose family recently moved to town with the Air Force. As the boys connect through their mutual passion for music, especially the Beatles, Lewis has to lie more and more to hide the reality of his family's poverty from George. He also has to deal with the vicious Evan Reininger, who makes Lewis the special target of his wrath. But when everyone else is on Evan's side, how can he be defeated? And if George finds out the truth about Lewis's home -- will he still be his friend?

Northwest Resistance by Katherena Vermette; Scott B. Henderson (Illustrator); Donovan Yaciuk (Illustrator)

Call Number: GN VER

ISBN: 9781553798316

Publication Date: 2020

Echo Desjardins just can't stop slipping back and forth in time. In Northwest Resistance, Echo travels to 1885, a period of turmoil. The bison are gone, settlers from the East are arriving daily, and the Métis and First Nations of the Northwest face hunger and uncertainty as their traditional way of life is threatened. The Canadian government has ignored their petitions, but hope rises when Louis Riel returns to help. However, battles between Canadian forces and the Métis and their allies lead to defeat at Batoche. Through it all, Echo gains new perspectives about where she came from and what the future may hold.

Road Allowance Era by Katherena Vermette; Scott B. Henderson (Illustrator); Donovan Yaciuk (Illustrator)

Call Number: GN VER

ISBN: 9781553799306

Publication Date: 2021

In Road Allowance Era, Echo's story picks up again when she travels back in time to 1885. The government has not fulfilled its promise of land for the Métis, and many flee to the Northwest. As part of the fallout from the Northwest Resistance, their advocate and champion Louis Riel is executed. As new legislation corrodes Métis land rights, and unscrupulous land speculators and swindlers take advantage, many Métis settle on road allowances and railway land, often on the fringes of urban centres. For Echo, the plight of her family is apparent. Burnt out of their home in Ste. Madeleine, they make their way to Rooster Town, a shanty community on the southwest edges of Winnipeg. In this final instalment of her story, Echo is reminded of the strength and resilience of her people, forged through the loss and pain of the past, as she faces a triumphant future.

The Wolf Mother by Hetxw'ms Gyetxw Brett D. Huson; Natasha Donovan (Illustrator)

Call Number: j599.773 HUS

ISBN: 9781553799788

Publication Date: 2021

New pups have just begun to open their eyes, one of which is a striking black female. Every day, her ears grow larger, her eyesight gets sharper, and her legs stretch farther. As she learns to hunt, play, and run with her pack, instinct pulls her to explore beyond her home territory. Will the young wolf's bold spirit help her find a new pack of her very own? Learn about the life cycle of these magnificent canines, the traditions of the Gitxsan, and how grey wolves contribute to the health of their entire ecosystem.

Red River Resistance by Katherena Vermette; Scott B. Henderson (Illustrator); Donovan Yaciuk (Illustrator)

Call Number: GN VER

ISBN: 9781553797470

Publication Date: 2018

Echo Desjardins is adjusting to her new home, finding friends, and learning about Métis history. She just can't stop slipping back and forth in time. One ordinary afternoon in class, Echo finds herself transported to the banks of the Red River in the summer of 1869. All is not well in the territory as Canadian surveyors have arrived to change the face of territory, and Métis families, who have lived there for generations, are losing access to their land. As the Resistance takes hold, Echo fears for her friends and the future of her people in the Red River Valley.

Jo Jo Makoons: the Used-To-Be Best Friend by Dawn Quigley; Tara Audibert (Illustrator)

Call Number: E QUI

ISBN: 9780063015371

Publication Date: 2021

Jo Jo Makoons Azure is a spirited seven-year-old who moves through the world a little differently than anyone else on her Ojibwe reservation. It always seems like her mom, her kokum (grandma), and her teacher have a lot to learn--about how good Jo Jo is at cleaning up, what makes a good rhyme, and what it means to be friendly. Even though Jo Jo loves her #1 best friend Mimi (who is a cat), she's worried that she needs to figure out how to make more friends. Because Fern, her best friend at school, may not want to be friends anymore... The Heartdrum imprint centers a wide range of intertribal voices, visions, and stories while welcoming all young readers, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes.

Kamik by Donald Uluadluak; Qin Leng (Illustrator)

Call Number: E ULU

ISBN: 9781927095119

Publication Date: 2012

When Jake finally gets a puppy to call his own, all he can think about is the fast, strong sled dog that his puppy will become. But Kamik is far from an obedient sled dog. He won't listen, he tracks mud all over the house, and he's a lot more work than Jake ever thought a puppy could be! But after a visit with his grandfather, who raised many puppies of his own while living out on the land, Jake learns that Inuit have been raising puppies just like Kamik to be obedient, resourceful, helpful sled dogs for generations. Inspired by the real-life recollections of an elder from Arviat, Nunavut, this book lovingly recreates the traditional dog-rearing practices that prevailed when Inuit relied on dogs for transportation and survival.

The Christmas Coat by Virginia Driving Hawk; Ellen Bier

Call Number: E SNE

ISBN: 9781941813256

Publication Date: 2019

Virginia's old coat is too small. The cold South Dakota wind blows across the Rosebud Indian Reservation, making her shiver as she walks to school. Virginia dreams of a new coat arriving in the Theast boxes-parcels of clothing from churches in "The East." But, she knows she may not have a chance for a coat this year. Her father is the village Episcopal priest, so her family chooses last, and as Mama always says, "The others need it more than we do." Generosity and unexpected joy remind Virginia of the importance of community within this story from the author's childhood.

The Sea in Winter by Christine Day

Call Number: J DAY

ISBN: 9780062872050

Publication Date: 2022

In this evocative and heartwarming novel, the author tells the story of a Native American girl struggling to find her joy again. It's been a hard year for Maisie Cannon, ever since she hurt her leg and could not keep up with her ballet training and auditions. Her blended family is loving and supportive, but Maisie knows that they just can't understand how hopeless she feels. With everything she's dealing with, Maisie is not excited for their family midwinter road trip along the coast, near the Makah community where her mother grew up. But soon, Maisie's anxieties and dark moods start to hurt as much as the pain in her knee. How can she keep pretending to be strong when on the inside she feels as roiling and cold as the ocean?

Son Who Returns by Gary Robinson

Call Number: J ROB

ISBN: 9781939053046

Publication Date: 2014

Fifteen-year-old Mark Centeno is of Chumash, Crow, Mexican and Filipino ancestry--he calls himself "four kinds of brown." When Mark goes to live with his Chumash grandmother on the reservation in central California, he discovers a rich world of family history and culture that he knows very little about. He also finds a pathway to understanding better a part of his own identity: powwow dancing. Riveted by the traditional dancers and feeling the magnetic pull of the drums, Mark begins the training and other preparations necessary for him to compete as a dancer in one of America's largest powwows.

The Red Deal by The Red Nation

Call Number: j363.73874 RED

ISBN: 9781942173434

Publication Date: 2021

When the Red Nation released their call for a Red Deal, it generated coverage in places from Teen Vogue to Jacobin to the New Republic, was endorsed by the DSA, and has galvanized organizing and action. Now, in response to popular demand, the Red Nation expands their original statement filling in the histories and ideas that formed it and forwarding an even more powerful case for the actions it demands. One-part visionary platform, one-part practical toolkit, the Red Deal is a platform that encompasses everyone, including non-Indigenous comrades and relatives who live on Indigenous land. The Red Deal is a call for action beyond the scope of the US colonial state. It's a program for Indigenous liberation, life, and land--an affirmation that colonialism and capitalism must be overturned for this planet to be habitable for human and other-than-human relatives to live dignified lives. The Red Deal is not a response to the Green New Deal, or a "bargain" with the elite and powerful. It's a deal with the humble people of the earth; a pact that we shall strive for peace and justice and a declaration that movements for justice must come from below and to the left.

The Case of Windy Lake by Michael Hutchinson

Call Number: J HUT

ISBN: 9781772600858

Publication Date: 2019

Sam, Otter, Atim, and Chickadee are four inseparable cousins growing up on the Windy Lake First Nation. Nicknamed the Mighty Muskrats for their habit of laughing, fighting, and exploring together, the cousins find that each new adventure adds to their reputation. When a visiting archeologist goes missing, the cousins decide to solve the mystery of his disappearance. In the midst of community conflict, family concerns, and environmental protests, the four get busy following every lead. From their base of operations in a fort made out of an old school bus, the Mighty Muskrats won't let anything stop them from solving their case!

My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith; Julie Flett (Illustrator)

Call Number: E GRA Board book

ISBN: 9781459809574

Publication Date: 2016

The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you love. What fills your heart with happiness? This beautiful board book, with illustrations from celebrated artist Julie Flett, serves as a reminder for little ones and adults alike to reflect on and cherish the moments in life that bring us joy. International speaker and award-winning author Monique Gray Smith wrote My Heart Fills with Happiness to support the wellness of Indigenous children and families, and to encourage young children to reflect on what makes them happy.

The Wolf's Trail by Thomas D. Peacock

Call Number: F PEA

ISBN: 9781513645629

Publication Date: 2020

Zhi-shay, elder wolf and human, shares universal life lessons with a litter of wolf pups, in this engaging story rooted in Ojibwe history and culture.

A Is for Anemone by Roy Henry Vickers (Illustrator); Robert Budd

Call Number: j421.1 VIC Board Book

ISBN: 9781550179477

Publication Date: 2021

This sturdy board book introduces the alphabet using iconic imagery of the West Coast, creating a book that will be cherished by young readers and their families. Starting with colourful sea anemones waving in the ocean current, and closing with a snoozing grizzly bear (Zzz), this board book supports both early literacy and children's awareness of the natural world.

The Break by Katherena Vermette

Call Number: F VER

ISBN: 9781487001117

Publication Date: 2018

The Break is a stunning and heartbreaking debut novel about a multigenerational Métis-Anishnaabe family dealing with the fallout of a shocking crime in Winnipeg's North End. When Stella, a young Métis mother, looks out her window one evening and spots someone in trouble on the Break -- a barren field on an isolated strip of land outside her house -- she calls the police to alert them to a possible crime. In a series of shifting narratives, people who are connected, both directly and indirectly, with the victim -- police, family, and friends -- tell their personal stories leading up to that fateful night. Lou, a social worker, grapples with the departure of her live-in boyfriend. Cheryl, an artist, mourns the premature death of her sister Rain. Paulina, a single mother, struggles to trust her new partner. Phoenix, a homeless teenager, is released from a youth detention centre. Officer Scott, a Métis policeman, feels caught between two worlds as he patrols the city. Through their various perspectives a larger, more comprehensive story about lives of the residents in Winnipeg's North End is exposed.

Apple by Eric Gansworth

Call Number: B GAN

ISBN: 9781646140138

Publication Date: 2020

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." In Apple (Skin to the Core), Eric Gansworth tells his story, 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.

Fire Fight by Jacqueline Guest

Call Number: F GUE

ISBN: 9781939053114

Publication Date: 2015

After her ikusin (grandmother) dies, Kai Hunter, a part Navajo, part Stoney Nakoda sixteen-year-old, runs away to Banff, Alberta, to avoid being placed in a foster home. Kai lies her way into a new identity, a job and a safe place to live. She makes new friends and volunteers with a rapid-attack crew for the forestry service. She even meets a great guy named Rory, who's into motorcycles, just like her--and who seems to be into her too. But Kai is scared of being found out, and she isn't sure that she can trust all of her new friends...or that she likes the person she's pretending to be. Meanwhile, she's got to pay rent, figure out whether Rory is boyfriend material and assist the rap-attack crew as it faces a string of suspicious forest fires. In the thrilling conclusion to this romantic adventure, Kai's choices become matters of life and death.

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day

Call Number: J DAY

ISBN: 9780062871992

Publication Date: 2019

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.

Fall in Line, Holden by Daniel W. Vandever (Illustrator); LaFrenda Frank (Editor)

Call Number: E VAN

ISBN: 9781893354500

Publication Date: 2017

At a very strict school in Indigenous Nation, everyone but Holden stays in line until they reach the door at the end of the school day.

Sharice's Big Voice by Sharice Davids; Joshua Mangeshig Pawis-Steckley (Illustrator); Nancy K. Mays

Call Number: B DAV

ISBN: 9780062979667

Publication Date: 2021

This picture book tells the story of Sharice Davids, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, and the first LGBTQ congressperson to represent Kansas. When Sharice Davids was young, she never thought she'd be in Congress. And she never thought she'd be one of the first Native American women in Congress. During her campaign, she heard from a lot of doubters. They said she couldn't win because of how she looked, who she loved, and where she came from. But everyone's path looks different and everyone's path has obstacles. And this is the remarkable story of Sharice Davids' path to Congress. This powerful autobiographical picture book teaches readers to use their big voice and that everyone deserves to be seen--and heard!

Sugar Falls: a residential school story by David A. Robertson; illustrations, Scott B. Henderson; colours, Donovan Yaciuk

Call Number: GN ROB

ISBN: 9781553799757

Publication Date: 2021

A school assignment to interview a residential school survivor leads Daniel to Betsy, who tells him her story. Abandoned as a young child, Betsy was soon adopted into a loving family. A few short years later, at the age of 8, everything changed. Betsy was taken away to a residential school. There she was forced to endure abuse and indignity, but Betsy recalled the words her father spoke to her at Sugar Falls--words that gave her the resilience, strength, and determination to survive. Sugar Falls is based on the true story of Betty Ross, Elder from Cross Lake First Nation.

How raven got his crooked nose: an Alaskan Dena'ina fable by (retold) Barbara J. Atwater and Ethan J. Atwater; illustrated by Mindy Dwyer

Call Number: j398.209798 ATW

ISBN: 9781513264394

Publication Date: 2018

Chulyen, a trickster raven, loses his nose in an embarrassing incident, but vows to get it back. With the help of magic powers, Chulyen devises a caper to retrieve his missing nose, and learns an important lesson along the way. Part picture book, part graphic novel, this story is a modern retelling of a traditional Alaskan Dena'ina fable that kids of every age will love.

Tales of the mighty code talkers edited by Arigon Starr

Call Number: GN TAL

ISBN: 9780990694755

Publication Date: 2016

What is often overlooked of writing the past several decades about Native American Code Talkers of World War Two is the role played in both World Wars by men of other tribes. There were Cherokee, Choctaw, Comanche, Creek and other tribal representatives with their languages involved as well. Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers, a graphic anthology of historically based stories, begins to fill that void. Seven stories -- two dealing with Choctaw and Comanche code talkers, one on Cherokees, one on Creeks, and one on Navajos, plus other stories.

A girl called Echo: Vol. 1, Pemmican wars by Katherena Vermette; illustrated by Scott B. Henderson; coloured by Donovan Yaciuk

Call Number: GN VER

ISBN: 9781553796787

Publication Date: 2017

Echo Desjardins, a 13-year-old Métis girl adjusting to a new home and school, is struggling with loneliness while separated from her mother. Then an ordinary day in Mr. Bee's history class turns extraordinary, and Echo's life will never be the same. During Mr. Bee's lecture, Echo finds herself transported to another time and place--a bison hunt on the Saskatchewan prairie--and back again to the present. In the following weeks, Echo slips back and forth in time. She visits a Métis camp, travels the old fur-trade routes, and experiences the perilous and bygone era of the Pemmican Wars.

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CECH Library New Native American Children's Literature

NEW Native American Children's and YA Books Summer 2022

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CECH Library New Native American Children's Literature

NEW Native American Children's and YA Books Summer 2022

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