What we love: The story shows how the grandmother preserved her sense of self in the face of government-sanctioned cultural destruction. Kaylee Lambert, The Huffington Post This beautiful compilation of indigenous representation paired with lyrical text will have you tearing up and your little ones will love looking at so many baby faces! When the only books kids read about indigenous people take place long ago, students may think these communities don’t exist in contemporary society. Young Water Protectors: A Story about Standing Rock by Aslan Tudor and Kelly Tudor. Most Together they journey to bring peace to the warring nations of the Haudenosaunee (now known as the Iroquois). window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { It’s also important to have this conversation for well-meaning allies. By NWPB News October 12, 2020. Sweetest Kulu draws on the Arctic landscape and native animals to show the Inuit values of respect and care for their surroundings. event : evt, Celebrate the lives and stories of Native Americans with one of these American Indian Youth Literature Award winning books.. Take story time on the road and take a hike through the Holliday Nature Preserve in Westland.The Native American foot trail is a trip through time in the middle of the city. } So, as part of #IndigiRead I have pulled together ten of my favourite Indigenous-authored children’s books in the last few years. 8. Things to know: Residential schools for indigenous children were set up across Canada. Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought together in a foster home in Winnipeg, Manitoba. What we love: This book showcases an everyday gratitude practice, rather than a once-a-year holiday. In situ-ating the experience of Native peoples across time, I begin with a clarification of terms. Log in, register or subscribe to save articles for later. My Home Broome by Tamzyne and Bronwyn Houston, Magabala Books 2012. Aboriginal Children's Books: 17 Stories To Teach Kids About Indigenous Heritage Each of these books honours Canada's First Nations, Métis and Inuit people. Dragonfly Kites Tomson Highway (Cree) Strong Nations 2016 Things to know: Thank goodness the back of the book contains biographical descriptions for every person featured in the book because we knew very little about the famous folx featured! (poppytalk.com/Theytus Books/McKellar & Martin Publishing Group) … } ); Things to know: The pronunciation guide is in the front of the book, hidden under the dedications. Many superhero movies link disability to an evil nature (e.g., Captain Hook, Darth Vader, Doctor Poison from Wonder Woman, etc.) Things to know: We love how the #OwnVoices makers of this book carries over to even the detailed beaded art on each page. Things to know: While the last page mentions the varied and complex cradle board styles, it does not differentiate between tribes. I was delighted to find this story of activism, written by 10 year old Aslan Tudor. Things to know: “Kulu” is an Inuktitut term of endearment, making this book all the more lovable. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is Monday, October 12th. Great Books to Give the Kids This Holiday. Sign up for the Little Feminist Book Club. 98 books based on 31 votes: My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith, Little You by Richard Van Camp, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time... Home My Books Together they journey to bring peace to the warring nations of the Haudenosaunee (now known as the Iroquois). I am tribally enrolled at Nambé Pueblo, which means I am counted on the Nambé census. The Best Baby Books of 2020: the 15 books you need to raise a conscious kid, OUR 9 FAVORITE KID’S BOOKS ABOUT VOTING AND WOMEN’S SUFFRAGE, Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes, Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message, Sign up for the Little Feminist Book Club, How to Talk to Kids About Immigration & Family Separation. $24.99 Buy now There are also strong women characters, known as the Clan Mothers, in the story. Eeek! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. })(); Little Feminist It takes a village! Subscribers to our email list get exclusive content & offers, straight to their inbox. But I think it’s an important one, especially in our schools. BY BELLAMY PAILTHORP / KNKX. The first in The Birchbark series, "The Birchbark House" follows the life of Omakayas and her Ojibwe community in 1847 near present-day Lake Superior. is based on the true story of Hiawatha, the notable spokesperson for the Peacemaker who is famous for establishing the Iroquois Confederacy. Cooperative Children’s Book Center 401 Teacher Education Building 225 N. Mills Street Madison, WI 53706, USA; Email: ccbcinfo@education.wisc.edu; Phone: 608-263-3720 (function() { Raise Kids Who Love to Read. Visit our GIFT SHOP for our winning books. What we love: Readers see Hiawatha, a man of color, express anger, sadness, hope, love, and forgiveness. Want more? March 31, 2020 — 5.45pm. Follow the seasons with the Cherokee community as they show gratitude for everything and everyone around them. See. assign children’s books that feature Native peoples. What we love: We Are Grateful is the perfect book for breaking down the myth of the ‘First Thanksgiving’ as indigenous communities have practiced many formal and informal thanks-giving traditions for centuries. Last updated: April 16, 2021. Courtesy of Alyssa London . Tami Charles is a former teacher and the author of picture books, middle grade and young adult novels, and nonfiction. Join the campaign to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day. hello@littlefeminist.com. Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter Took the Children Away is a moving indictment of the treatment of indigenous children from the Stolen Generation' and a song which struck a chord' not only among the wider Aboriginal community, but also nationally. The book begins with glimpses of foods, medicines, and cultural practices North America’s indigenous peoples have contributed to the rest of the world. The National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature has produced a new Resource that celebrates children’s books by and about Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Celebrate the stories and history of Indigenous and Native American folks—as well as Indigenous Peoples' Day in October and Native American Heritage Month in November—with these great books for kids! Finding children’s books written by and featuring Native or Indigenous people is, unfortunately, very difficult. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Aboriginal Children's Books: 17 Stories To Teach Kids About Indigenous Heritage; Evaluating Indigenous Children's Stories: Visit Debbie Reese's blog "American Indians in Children's Literature" for a critical analysis of Indigenous Peoples' in Children and Young Adult Literature. They each feel disconnected, from their culture and each other, and struggle to fit in at school and at their new home -- until they find a secret place, walled off in an unfinished attic bedroom. Keep this in mind as you read this story with your kids. We wish they had! All these photos were sourced from the photo collective Tea & Bannock – check them out! Abolishing Columbus Day celebrations is just one step in addressing the violence against, and erasure of, indigenous people. From two celebrated Indigenous creators comes a powerful graphic novel about a family caught between nations. 10 Children’s Books Featuring Native & Indigenous Peoples to Read this Thanksgiving Weekend, https://littlefeminist.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/logo-compressed.png, https://littlefeminist.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/thanksgiving.png. Author (and muscian) Wab Kinew has created a rap celebrating the story of Indigenous people throughout time. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. and it is important to explain the inherent prejudice in these depictions of disability. The book unfolds around the “emancipation” bill, in which the government was attempting to terminate treaties with the Indigenous peoples and threaten their livelihoods. Aslan’s family were among the tens of thousands of Native Americans and other supporters … If you click the links, you can read why I love them so much. Made with ♥ in Oakland, CA What we love: Quite literally interweaving Cherokee culture AND the life of a woman veteran, At the Mountain’s Base is one-of-a-kind! I know! Things to know: We found it frustrating was that the antagonist’s bad intentions were described in connection to his physical deformity. You must have a goodreads account to vote. Louise Erdrich is an Ojibwe writer of novels, poetry and children's books and enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, a band of the Anishinaabe. Things to know: This book is so intersectional, especially after reading the author’s note at the back explaining her real-life inspiration for the story. Baby & Toddler (0-2) Pre-K (3–5) Growing Reader (6–8) Tween (9–12) Teen (13+) Discover Baby & Toddler (0-2) Pre-K (3–5) Growing Reader (6–8) Tween (9–12) Teen (13+) Editor's Pick. While the younger sister struggles to stay quiet, irritating her older sister, together they share in the joy of reaching their destination. 140 books based on 16 votes: My Heart Fills With Happiness by Monique Gray Smith, When We Were Alone by David Alexander Robertson, Sweetest Kulu by Celin... Home My Books It documents the dark period of regulation by racist laws during the twentieth century, and then discusses new emergence in the twenty-first century into a re-establishment of Indigenous land and resource rights. So often, rainforest books focus on the impact of humans on wildlife and vegetation but forget about the native people who have lived in the rainforest for generations. In this article, I ask teachers to rethink literature used to teach children about Indigenous peoples. Based on the life of the author’s grandfather, the novel stars Thomas Wazhashk, the night watchman at a jewel bearing plant in North Dakota in 1953. Lists are re-scored approximately every 5 minutes. Indigenous creators top Children's Book Council of Australia awards shortlist. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Lii Yiiboo Nayaapiwak lii Swer: L'alfabet di Michif / Owls See Clearly at Night: A Michif Alphabet, No Time to Say Goodbye: Children's Stories of Kuper Island Residential School, When Turtle Grew Feathers: A Tale from the Choctaw Nation, The Birchbark House (Birchbark House, #1), Only the Names Remain: The Cherokees and The Trail of Tears, The Giving Tree: A Retelling of a Traditional Métis Story, Speaking Our Truth: A Journey of Reconciliation, Skraelings (English): Clashes in the Old Arctic, Children of the Tipi: Life in the Buffalo Days, The Secret of Your Name: Proud to Be Métis, People of the Buffalo: How the Plains Indians Lived, Many Nations: An Alphabet of Native America, Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving, Uumajut Volume 2: Learn More About Arctic Wildlife, Ininatig's Gift of Sugar: Traditional Native Sugarmaking, Initiations: A Selection of Young Native Writings, How the mouse got brown teeth : a Cree story for children, Wanisinwak Iskwesisak/Two Little Girls Lost in the Bush, How the Birch Tree Got Its Stripes: A Cree Story For Children. What we love: A board book filled with indigenous family photos taken by indigenous womxn photographers? Here’s a list of books that came out this […] Read books. In celebration of Indigenous stories for children here are nine must read Indigenous children’s books written and illustrated by Indigenous authors and artists. draws on the Arctic landscape and native animals to show the Inuit values of respect and care for their surroundings. Board Books | Elementary | Middle School | High School. We send our favorite books to our members every month! forms: { Indigenous peoples of the Americas and beyond come from traditions of gender equity, complementarity, and the sacred feminine, concepts that were unimaginable and shocking to Euro-western peoples at contact. READ ON. listeners: [], You must dig in and learn … Monday is Indigenous Peoples Day. Stage 1, funded by the Commonwealth Department of Education, offers a range of books for children aged from birth to eight years now extended to 12 years. Respect by Fay Stewart-Muir Sue Lawson and illustrated by Lisa Kennedy RRP $24.99. An easy introduction to the deep traditions surrounding cradle boards, Cradle Me features pictures of real babies held in their tribe’s cradleboard style. As a little girl asks seemingly innocuous questions to her grandmother, the answers all lead back to an experience in her grandmother’s youth. An image from "Journey of the Freckled Indian" by Alyssa London, with illustrations by Monica Rickert-Bolter and formline drawings by Preston Singletary. } { Save . Since this book is for younger readers, it does not delve into the more physical and emotional trauma that went on within the residential schools. Indigenous Peoples’ Day is celebrated in October and Native American Heritage Month is celebrated during the month of November. YES please! They were administered by Christian churches and funded by the national government. Things to know: HUGE shout out to Mari, a Six Nations member, who urged us to include a title dismanteling Thanksgiving as we know it. Find on Amazon Find on Bookshop. What we love: Lyrical text with poignant illustrations, Go Show the World belongs in every school library to remind people that Indigenous communities and cultures are still here. What we love: The author is an Inuit throat singer and her words are wonderfully lyrical. These books for children and teens offer readers an opportunity to learn more about the rich and complex history of Indigenous people in North America. History and Current Events: Children’s Books about Native Americans and First Nations Peoples. 10 Children’s Books Featuring Native & Indigenous Peoples to Read this Thanksgiving Weekend Cradle Me. However, the story explores the individual lives of the characters with … on: function(evt, cb) { Indigenous peoples cannot do the work for you. } This list in order of publication date: 1. features pictures of real babies held in their tribe’s cradleboard style. An easy introduction to the deep traditions surrounding cradle boards, Cradle Me features pictures of real... Sweetest Kulu. “Kulu” is an Inuktitut term of endearment, making this book all the more lovable. Children often believe that Indigenous Peoples lived “long ago” and their struggles occurred “long ago”. Indigenous Voices for Little Ears: 15 Books About Native American Tradition and History for Children We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom and Illustrated by Michaela Goade. Since this book is for younger readers, it does not delve into the more physical and emotional trauma that went on within the residential schools. Few children’s authors can tackle the dark humour of being a mixed blood Indigenous kid, but Van Camp does it in What's The Most Beautiful Thing You … We’ve compiled this list to help you find First Nation stories that run the gamut from playful to legendary. by. The Moccasins is a children's book written by Earl Einarson and illustrated by Julie Flett. It directly gives back to Indigenous communities and reminds the reader that Indigenous peoples are still here, creating new content for the world. It’s bright and upbeat, inspiring children … This book reminds me of the books Encounter by Jane Yolen and We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom in that it focuses on Indigenous people and how the outside world affects them. New Children’s Book Exploring Native Identities Launches For Indigenous Peoples Day. It’s an … This book is not sad, though. That’s just one of the many important reasons why it’s important to share books written by indigenous authors. Their stated purpose was to assist in the assimilation of these children into Euro-Canadian culture, but in reality, these schools attempted to erase the students’ native cultures and ended up causing deep generational trauma to many children. While the numbers of books published about and by Indigenous people are still low (the Cooperative Children's Book Centre's figures show that only 1.9% of books in 2017 contained significant Indigenous representation, while only 1% of titles were written by Indigenous authors) this research guides aims to highlight the great work currently being done in both children's and young adult … After their nightly hot cocoa, two sisters set off to see their Skysisters. By Linda Morris. Borders is a masterfully told story of a boy and his mother whose road trip from Alberta to Salt Lake City is thwarted at the border when they identify their citizenship as Blackfoot. In Canada, Indigenous picture books are a crucial part of explicitly teaching all of our children the history of our First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, as well as having their faces and voices regularly included in our literature.