By Amy W., Public Services Librarian
November is Native American Heritage Month. Below are 5 ways you can celebrate!
Read an Award Winner
The American Indian Youth Literature Award winners “present Indigenous North American peoples in the fullness of their humanity.”
2024 Best Picture Book is shared between:
Forever Cousins written by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Navajo/Diné)
A Letter for Bob written by Kim Rogers (Wichita & Affiliated Tribes), illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Navajo/Diné)
Picture Book Honor titles for 2024:
- Rock Your Mocs written by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw Nation)
- Berry Song written and illustrated by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation)
- Remember written by Joy Harjo (Mvskoke Nation), illustrated by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation)
- Contenders written by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Arigon Starr (Kickapoo Tribe)
- Celebration written by Lily Hope (Tlingit), illustrated by Kelsey Mata Foote (Tlingit)
2024 Best Middle Grade Book is:
We Still Belong by Christine Day (Upper Skagit)
Middle Grade Book Honor titles for 2024:
- Eagle Drums written and illustrated by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson (Iñupiaq)
- Mascot by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation) and Charles Waters, jacket illustration by Nicole Neidhardt (Navajo)
- Jo Jo Makoons: Fancy Pants written by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), illustrated by Tara Audibert (Wolastoqey)
- Jo Jo Makoons: Snow Day written by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), illustrated by Tara Audibert (Wolastoqey)
- She Persisted: Maria Tallchief written by Christine Day (Upper Skagit), illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint
- She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller written by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint
- She Persisted: Deb Haaland written by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint
2024 Best Young Adult Book is:
Rez Ball by Byron Graves (Ojibwe)
Young Adult Book Honor titles for 2024:
- Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), jacket illustrations by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation)
- Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline (Métis)
- Man Made Monsters by Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Jeff Edwards (Cherokee Nation)
- Running with Changing Woman by Lorinda Martinez (Diné), cover design by Brittany Gene (Navajo)
- Heroes of the Water Monster by Brian Young (Navajo Nation), jacket art by Shonto Begay (Diné)
Explore the Eiteljorg Museum
Check out a museum pass to the Eiteljorg Museum and go visit in-person
OR
take a virtual tour using the Eiteljorg at Home web page and/or try the videos, projects, or games designed for education and entertainment.
Borrow E-books or Downloadable Audiobooks
Look on Libby for the featured Native American Heritage Month titles list.
Use Your HEPL Library Card to Login to Novelist Plus
Novelist Plus compiles recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books by Indigenous authors.
Novelist Plus also has lists by age group: Indigenous Lives [adult], Indigenous North American Teen Lives, Indigenous North American Kids’ Lives, Indigenous North American Family Lives.
Indigenous Author List
Alexie, Sherman
Allen, Paula Gunn
Basham, Brendan Shay
Belcourt, Billy-Ray
Blackgoose, Moniquill
Blair, Melissa
Chuculate, Eddie
Curtice, Kaitlin B.
Deloria Jr., Vine
Diaz, Natalie
Dimaline, Cherie
Elliott, Alicia
Emerson, Ramona
Erdrich, Heid E.
Erdrich, Louise
Estes, Nick
Fajardo-Anstine, Kali
Febos, Melissa
Ford, Kelli Jo
Hamalainen, Pekka
Harjo, Joy
Hobson, Brandon
Hogan, Linda
Hokeah, Oscar
Jensen, Toni
Johns, Jessica
Jones, Stephen Graham
Kimmerer, Robin Wall
Lillie, Vanessa
Long Soldier, Layli
Mailhot, Terese Marie
McDaniel, Tiffany
Medina, Nick
Methot, Suzanne
Momaday, N. Scott
Nava, Danica
Orange, Tommy
Peters, Amanda
Pico, Tommy
Porter, Michelle
Power, Susan
Rendon, Marcie
Rice, Waubgeshig
Roanhorse, Rebecca
Silko, Leslie Marmon
St. Clair, Scarlett
Staples, Dennis E.
Treuer, David
Verble, Margaret
Weiden, David Heska Wanbli
Welch, James
Whitehead, Joshua
Wilson, Diane
Wurth, Erika T.
Get More Reading Recommendations from First Nations
First Nations Development Institute publishes book lists for recommended reading.
The lists are organized by subject: History/Politics, Economic Development, Popular History, Culture, Imagery, International, Novels/Fiction, Education, Reference Books, Academic Journals, Legal Resources, Poetry, & Youth Literature.
The Knowledge Center section of the First Nations website also has Recipes, Videos, Webinars, Native Reads.