Although November is soon to end, we want to continue celebrating Native American Heritage – all day, every day!
In this season of togetherness and storytelling, we want to highlight stories that center Indigenous experiences. Storytelling includes reading or listening to books, playing or listening to music, telling or listening to oral stories, dancing, singing, crafting, and more.
The Native Youth Community Projects Literacy for All team considers all the various ways stories are shared to be key components of literacy development. Literacy, especially reading, is so important and helps children think in more sophisticated ways, including reasoning, language development and comprehension, self-awareness, and learning about the world around them. Read more about various literacy benefits here.
The Literacy for All team asked folks from across Salt River Schools and the Community for their story recommendations. Here are some of the answers. Please keep in mind: This is not meant to be an exhaustive list; we hope it is either a starting place for you and your family to begin your literacy journey and/or that you discover a new storyteller to add your own list of favorites.
BOOKS BY INDIGENOUS AUTHORS
"Byrd Baylor booksThe Way to Start a Day and I’m in Charge of Celebrations are great books about respecting the land and all creatures.” Sophia McAnlis, Salt River Schools ENLC Director
- A Day with Yayah, Nicola I. Campbell (picture book)
- Bowwow Powwow, Brenda J. Child (picture book)
- Lakota Woman, Mary Crow Dog (high school and older)
- Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto, Vine Deloria, Jr. (high school and older)
- If I Ever Get Out of Here, Eric Gansworth (middle grade and high school)
- Hearts Unbroken, Cynthia Leitich Smith (middle grade and high school)
- Ceremony, Leslie Marmon Silko (middle grade and high school)
- House Made of Dawn, N. Scott Momaday (high school)
- A Pima Past, Anna Moore Shaw (middle grade and older)
- There There, Tommy Orange (high school and older)
- A Dance Through the Seasons, Leona Price (picture book)
- When We Play Our Drums, They Sing, Richard Van Camp (middle grades)
“I really love [Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Maillard]! It shows the diversity among our Native communities and the END PAPERS are so cool with all the tribes/tribal communities listed including SRPMIC! Such a fun and cute book. Salt River Tribal Library will do a Saturday Storytime in December with this book!” Melissa Rave, Salt River Tribal Library
Ask the Salt River Tribal Library for more great book suggestions.
MUSIC, VOICE & POETRY
“I’ve been a fan a of Link Wray since I was a kid growing up listening to surf music and instrumentals was always on the radio or in a movie. When Rumble the movie came out I was excited since Link Wray has been so influential in modern music.” James Osife, Education I.T.
ARTISTS
WEBSITES
PLEASE NOTE: This is not meant to be an exhaustive list; there are many (many!) resources available that feature Indigenous authors, musicians, artists, and more. We hope this list is a starting point for you and your family or that it features a storyteller you may not have heard about before.