Native American Heritage Month
Celebrate...unite...reflect.
Books, events and lesson plans to connect students and classrooms with Native American cultures.
North America has been the homeland of 562 native tribes. Invest time in November to connect with the culture, the contributions, the history and the art of this diverse and dynamic population. Find book titles, Denver resources and teaching/lesson plans below.
Elementary Titles
Thunder Boy Jr. by Sherman Alexie
An enchanting and humorous picture book about a little boy frustrated with his name. The dialogue is humorous yet profound in the simple truths it imparts.
My Heart Fills with Happiness by Monique Gray Smith
Joyful and tender, this board book celebrates the activities that bring gladness through family and cultural connections.
In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse by Joseph Marshall
In this novel that seamlessly integrates Lakota history and oral tradition, Marshall takes readers along for a road trip with Jimmy and his maternal grandfather as they embark on a "vision journey," visiting famous landmarks, monuments, and landscapes integral to the life of the great warrior and leader Crazy Horse. As Jimmy and his grandfather's journey comes to an end, the boy has gained much more than a history lesson—he learns a great deal about courage, sacrifice, and the ties that connect him to his ancestors.
Middle School Titles
Makoons by Louise Erdrich
Makoons and his twin brother Chickadee adjust to their new home on the Great Plains of the Dakota Territory in the 1860s. The boys learn to hunt buffalo and contribute to the survival of their family. But Makoons is haunted by a vision he had that foretells of a great challenge his family may not be able to overcome.
Talking Leaves by Joseph Bruchac
Bruchac has crafted a tale of depth and universal humanity in this fictionalized account of Sequoyah, the creator of the Cherokee syllabary, and his son, Jesse. With an authentic voice, Bruchac weaves details of Cherokee customs, cultural stories, and language without any heavy-handedness.
Soldier Sister, Fly Home by Bo Flood
Tess and her older sister, Gaby, siblings who live in Navajo Nation with their family, are close, but when Gaby enlists in the military, their bond is threatened. A tender story set in contemporary Navajo Nation, with themes that will resonate with many readers on their own journey toward self-discovery.
High School Titles
#NotYourPrincess by Lisa Charleyboy
Charleyboy's intent for this anthology is to provide a "space to not only write a love letter to all young Indigenous women trying to find their way, but also to help dispel those stereotypes so we can collectively move forward to a brighter future for all." A stunning anthology of creative writing and art—a love letter, indeed.
Brothers of the Buffalo by Joseph Bruchac
Not only does Bruchac's latest novel transport readers to the gritty reality of the Red River War of 1874, it explores teachings and lessons from long ago that transcend powerfully into today's world. A great historical fiction title that will have readers wanting to learn more about this piece of American history.
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team by Steve Sheinkin
Proclaimed "the greatest all-around athlete in the world" by legendary football coach Glenn "Pop" Warner, Jim Thorpe dominated sports in the early 1900s. His natural athleticism, in tandem with Warner's innovative coaching style, helped establish the Carlisle Indian Industrial School's football program as one of the nation's best. Despite the fame and attention Carlisle received because of its winning team, a stark reality existed: the cultures of these same young men were being systematically eradicated by the school.
Denver Connections
Teaching Resources - Native American Heritage Month
This flyer is a part of Library Services Diverse Books Initiative that seeks to support culturally responsive education in Denver Public Schools where all students have equitable access to reading materials that reflect and honor their lives, and connect them with the world.
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