Native American Heritage Month

The Apache of the American Southwest had long been in conflict with Mexican and U.S. soldiers and settlers by the time Geronimo began resisting these forces. The Apache warrior and his followers spent decades fighting to remain free and in control of their vast lands. The last stage of the long-running resistance began about 1877 when U.S. troops rounded up the Apache and moved them to a reservation. Unable to tolerate life there, Geronimo and his followers escaped several times, fleeing to the hills and their traditional ways. Each time they were captured and brought back. Geronimo surrendered for the last time in 1886 and Apache resistance collapsed. How would it affect the lives of the Apache and change the United States?

The Trail of Tears marked the low point in Cherokee history. The survivors of that deadly event set a new course, rebuilding their lives in an unfamiliar land. Their descendants have prospered in modern America but always remember their culture and past.

The Cherokee is the largest native tribe in the United States today. Their history dates back 15,000 years, when their ancestors made the long trek to North America from Asia. Readers will find out where the Cherokee originally settled, where and why they migrated, and what happened when European settlers encroached on Cherokee land, with special attention to the infamous Trail of Tears march of 1838-1839. This valuable account makes note of the Cherokee people's extraordinary resilience in rebuilding their culture on reservations and beyond, despite great obstacles.

Lakota chief Red Cloud gathered an army of warriors across three tribes in the Great Plains. In the late 1860s he led his forces to victory in the only successful American Indian war in the West against the United States. It resulted in a treaty to protect Lakota land and their way of life. But the U.S. government would break the treaty many times. How would it affect their lives and change the United States?

Every November, the United States celebrates Thanksgiving Day. But what actually happened at the first Thanksgiving? And when did it happen? Discover the facts and find out the fiction surrounding one of America's favorite holidays.

American Indians and white Americans had been living near each other for hundreds of years. But in 1830 the U.S. government forced Indians from their homes in the East. Many would die on their journey west, which became known as the Trail of Tears. How would it affect their lives and change the United States?

In the early 1800s, white Americans sought out more lands. The 1830 Indian Removal Act allowed the US government to trade lands with Native Americans. But officials often forcibly removed Native peoples from their homelands. The Indian Removal Act and the Trail of Tearsdescribes this period of forced removal and its lasting effects. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards.

The Iroquois Confederacy served as model for the founding fathers who wrote the U.S. Constitution. The Iroquois today continue their proud tradition of representative democracy as they thrive in modern America.

Americans remember the Battle of the Little Bighorn as Custer's Last Stand. But the shocking defeat of U.S. forces in 1876 represents the last stand of the Lakota nation. The greatest American Indian victory ever would be one of their last. How would it affect their lives and change the United States?

Native American culture has been passed on for centuries through the arts and crafts of each group. The Ojibwe made dream catchers, and fringed tunics were made and worn by the Sioux. Readers learn to make various crafts inspired by different groups of Native Americans, and they learn important facts about Native American history along the way. Sidebars and fact boxes complement engaging main text, and historical images show the history of the cultures readers are exploring. Each crafting project is accompanied by detailed instructions and its own set of helpful, full-color photographs.

Lies My Teacher Told Me is one of the most important and successful American history books of our time. Now Rebecca Stefoff turns Loewen's beloved work into Lies My Teacher Told Me for Young Readers. Beginning with pre-Columbian American history and then covering characters and events as diverse as Helen Keller, the first Thanksgiving, the My Lai massacre, 9/11, and the Iraq War, Loewen's lively, provocative telling of American history is a 'counter-textbook that retells the story of the American past' (The Nation). Readers will welcome and value its honesty, its humour, and its integrity.

Between two and three thousand years ago, the ancestors of the Luisenos settled along the coast of what is now southern California. The Luisenos have faced many challenges since that time. Today, they're considered one of California's most notable Native American groups. Students will learn about the history, culture, and traditions of the Luiseños. Primary sources and full-color photographs add visual depth to the informative text. Readers will enjoy learning about the interesting lives of these American Indians of California.

Author Anita Louise McCormick Investigates the issues surrounding the creation of reservations--areas of land chosen by the United States government to relocate or contain Native Americans. Beginning with the first European explorers and continuing to the present, examine the history of the conflicts and resolutions between the United States government and Native Americans. Decide whether you feel the native peoples were treated fairly.

The Long Walk to forced imprisonment in eastern New Mexico still haunts the Navajo people. But after years of suffering they were allowed to return to their traditional lands where they prospered. Today the Navajo celebrate their strengths and proudly maintain their cultural traditions in modern America.

Rain that Dances and his friends go to visit Mr. Eagle to find out ways to stay healthy and strong. Miss Rabbit is there and tells them how eating many different kinds and colors of vegetables will help them stay well.

America was founded as a New World haven from tyranny and persecution. Yet slavery was accepted-and legal-in parts of America until the 1860s. The Understanding American History series portrays the many sides of America, depicting both its shining moments and its darker hours. The series strives to help readers achieve a wider understanding and appreciation of the American experience and to encourage further investigation into America's evolving character and founding principles. Primary and secondary source quotes bring historical events to life. A visual chronology, source notes, bibliography for further research, and index provide additional tools for student researchers. Book jacket.

The U.S. government told the Nez Perce in 1877 to move to a reservation far from their home, or else.  What started out peacefully ended in a desperate attempt to escape U.S. forces.  About 800 tribal members ran for their lives, almost reaching safety in Canada. How would it affect their lives and change the United States?

The Shoshone people's history is forever tied to the period known as westward expansion in the United States. Occupying lands in present-day Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, California, and Nevada, the Shoshone tribe lived in western North America for hundreds of years before white settlers were drawn there by land and gold. In fact, most Shoshone never encountered a white person until the 1800s! Readers are introduced to the Shoshone people through their history and culture. Full-color photographs and historic images highlight their nomadic lifestyle, and fact boxes add interesting detail to curriculum-supporting content.

The ancient Tongva people lived in the area that is now known as the city of Los Angeles. This book provides readers with a fascinating look into the culture and traditions of the Tongva. Primary sources make this a great resource for learning about the history of these American Indians of California. Students will learn about the religion and social structure of the Tongva, their interactions with Europeans, and the struggles they face today. Important topics from early elementary curricula of California are covered in rich detail alongside full-color images on each page.

Discover the amazing story of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas from the end of the Ice Age to the arrival of the Europeans. * EUREKA! Nonfiction Children's Book Awards Honoree * Red Maple Nonfiction Award Winner (Waterloo) * Rocky Mountain Book Award Nominee "...deftly weaves together traditional narratives with archaeology."--Jennifer Raff in Origin: A genetic history of the Americas Unlike most books that chronicle the history of Native peoples beginning with the arrival of Europeans in 1492, this book goes back to the Ice Age to give young readers a glimpse of what life was like pre-contact. The title, Turtle Island, refers to a Native story that explains how North and Central America were formed on the back of a turtle. Based on archeological finds and scientific research, we now have a clearer picture of how the Indigenous people lived. Using that knowledge, the authors take the reader back as far as 14,000 years ago to imagine moments in time. A wide variety of topics are featured, from the animals that came and disappeared over time, to what people ate, how they expressed themselves through art, and how they adapted to their surroundings. The importance of story-telling among the Native peoples is always present to shed light on how they explained their world. The end of the book takes us to modern times when the story of the Native peoples is both tragic and hopeful. 

Young, urban Natives powerfully show how their culture and values can survive--and enrich--city life. Much of the popular discourse on Native Americans and Aboriginals focuses on reservation life. But the majority of Natives in North America live off the rez. How do they stay rooted to their culture? How do they connect with their community? Urban Tribes offers unique insight into this growing and often misperceived group. Emotionally potent and visually arresting, the anthology profiles young urban Natives from across North America, exploring how they connect with Native culture and values in their contemporary lives. Their stories are as diverse as they are. From a young Dene woman pursuing a MBA at Stanford to a Pima photographer in Phoenix to a Mohawk actress in New York, these urban Natives share their unique perspectives to bridge the divide between their past and their future, their cultural home, and their adopted cities. Unflinchingly honest and deeply moving, contributors explore a wide-range of topics. From the trials and tribulations of dating in the city to the alienating experience of leaving a remote reserve to attend high school in the city, from the mainstream success of Electric Pow wow music to the humiliation of dealing with racist school mascots, personal perspectives illuminate larger political issues. An innovative and highly visual design offers a dynamic, reading experience.

At the not-so-tender age of 8, Aslan arrived in North Dakota to help stop a pipeline. A few months later he returned - and saw the whole world watching. Read about his inspiring experiences in the Oceti Sakowin Camp at Standing Rock. Learn about what exactly happened there, and why. Be inspired by Aslan's story of the daily life of Standing Rock's young water protectors. Mni Wiconi ... Water is Life

Oolichan Moon is a beautifully illustrated children's book about passing down traditional knowledge from Nisga'a Elders and the sacredness of traditional foods, particularly the oolichan fish. Together, author Samantha Beynon and illustrator Lucy Trimble have created a children's book rich with cultural knowledge and tradition that relates to their Nisga'a ancestry surrounding the oolichan fish. With playful text and vibrant illustrations, young readers can learn alongside the two Nisga'a sisters as they are gifted with sacred knowledge from their Elders, passed down for many generations in the oral tradition. A gorgeous celebration of Nisga'a language, history and culture, Oolichan Moon also includes historical and cultural information about the oolichan fish and related Nisga'a vocabulary.

Drawing from her experiences as an Indigenous scientist, botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer demonstrated how all living things--from strawberries and witch hazel to water lilies and lichen--provide us with gifts and lessons every day in her best-selling book Braiding Sweetgrass. Adapted for young adults by Monique Gray Smith, this new edition reinforces how wider ecological understanding stems from listening to the earth's oldest teachers: the plants around us. With informative sidebars, reflection questions, and art from illustrator Nicole Neidhardt, Braiding Sweetgrass for Young Adults brings Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the lessons of plant life to a new generation.

In this Wampanoag story told in a Native tradition, two kids from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe learn the story of Wee chumun (corn) and the first Thanksgiving. The Thanksgiving story that most Americans know celebrates the Pilgrims. But without members of the Wampanoag tribe who already lived on the land where the Pilgrims settled, the Pilgrims would never have made it through their first winter. And without Wee chumun (corn), the Native people wouldn't have helped. An important picture book honoring both the history and tradition that surrounds the story of the first Thanksgiving.

This beautifully designed, interactive nonfiction work celebrates North American Indigenous thinkers and inventions--perfect for fans of Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer.  ​ " Essential for kids and adults. We need this book." --Candace Fleming, award-winning author of The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh and The Family Romanov Corn. Chocolate. Fishing hooks. Boats that float. Insulated double-walled construction. Recorded history and folklore. Life-saving disinfectant. Forest fire management. Our lives would be unrecognizable without these, and countless other, scientific discoveries and technological inventions from Indigenous North Americans. Spanning topics from transportation to civil engineering, hunting technologies, astronomy, brain surgery, architecture, and agriculture, Indigenous Ingenuity is a wide-ranging STEM offering that answers the call for Indigenous nonfiction by reappropriating hidden history. The book includes fun, simple activities and experiments that kids can do to better understand and enjoy the principles used by Indigenous inventors. Readers of all ages are invited to celebrate traditional North American Indigenous innovation, and to embrace the mindset of reciprocity, environmental responsibility, and the interconnectedness of all life.

In Of All Tribes,Abenaki children's book icon Joseph Bruchac tells the stirring history of the 1969 occupation of Alcatraz by Native Americans, which established a precedent for Indian activism. "Alcatraz is not an island. It's an idea." --activist Richard Oakes (Akwesasne Mohawk) On the night of November 20, 1969--the end of one of the most tumultuous decades in American history--eighty-nine young Native American activists crossed the San Francisco Bay under cover of darkness, calling themselves the "Indians of All Tribes." Their objective? To claim the former prison island of Alcatraz, basing their actions on an 1868 treaty that said abandoned federal land could be returned to Indigenous peoples. Taking a stand on an island reclaimed as "Indian Land," these peaceful protestors brought worldwide attention to the issues facing present-day Native Americans, as well as the centuries of unjust federal Indian policy. From award-winning Abenaki author Joseph Bruchac, Of All Tribes is the riveting story of the occupation that ignited the modern American Indian Movement and inspired activists everywhere.