Since 1990, November has been designated as Native American Heritage Month, when we recognize the cultures, contributions and struggles of America’s indigenous people. According to Native Hope, an advocacy organization for the Native American community, there are an estimated 6.79 million Native Americans currently living in the United States, and 574 federally recognized tribes.
Unfortunately, the languages and cultures of many of those tribes has been lost, but the tradition of storytelling is not only helping to preserve Native American heritage within the community, but increase awareness outside it.
Libraries play a vital role in helping patrons access the work of Native American writers, including best-selling authors Louise Erdrich, Sherman Alexie, Tommy Orange, and Joy Harjo, a member of the Creek Nation, who was named the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States in 2019
We’ve listed works from our digital and print collections by Native American writers, that include history, literary fiction, poetry, young adult fiction, junior fiction, memoirs and more. Digital selections marked with an asterisk are also available in print. Click on the titles to place a hold.
Hoopla:
Give Me Some Truth by Eric Gansworth*
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice*
Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death and Hard Truths in a Northern City by Tanya Talaga*
The Round House by Louise Erdrich*
Heart Berries: A Memoir by Terese Marie Mailhot*
Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich*
Crazy Horse Weeps by Joseph M. Marshall
American Sunrise by Joy Harjo*
The Beadworkers by Beth Piatote*
Our History is the Future by Nick Estes*
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer*
Where The Dead Sit Talking by Brandon Hobson*
Mostly White by Alison Hart
Two Roads by Joseph Bruchac*
Code Talker by Joseph Bruchac*
Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie*
Overdrive/Libby
There, There by Tommy Orange*
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse*
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer*
Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse*
The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich*
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline
#NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy (ed.)
Bury My Heart at Chuck E Cheese’s by Tiffany Midge
As Long As The Grass Grows by Dino Gilio-Whitaker
Rez Life by David Treuer