Native American Heritage Month

Illustrated image of Jim Thorpe running with a football from the book Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army by Art CoulsonIllustrated image of Jim Thorpe running with a football from the book Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army by Art Coulson

Celebrate Native American Heritage Month!

November is Native American Heritage Month, also known as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, and is a time to honor the traditions, historical legacy, and culture of Native Americans and Alaska Native people. It is a time to become more educated about the full, complex history of colonization and oppression, as well as celebrate the contributions and achievements of Indigenous peoples from the past and of today. One resource we highly recommend exploring is the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and its Native Knowledge 360° project.

How can you celebrate Native American Heritage Month? Capstone authors Katrina M. Phillips (citizen of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe) and Andrea L. Rogers (citizen of the Cherokee Nation) have some great ideas to get you started. We also are shining a spotlight on our children’s books by Native American and Indigenous authors and have some fun downloadable bookmarks and resources for your classroom or library. Be sure to also explore our newly transformed PebbleGo Next Indigenous Peoples’ History module for engaging lessons for your classroom with a balance of historical and modern Indigenous peoples. Join us in honoring Native American Heritage Month this month and throughout the year.

I Am On Indigenous Land

Picture book introduction to the history of our land and the Indigenous groups who first lived there

With simple, lyrical text and vibrant panoramic illustrations, this picture book explores the beauty and resources of thirteen ancestral Indigenous lands and how we all use those lands each day. Simple poetry and portrayals of children and families enjoying rivers, bike paths, beaches, and parks show how everyday activities can include honoring Indigenous nations and cultures. Author Katrina Phillips (Ojibwe citizen) and illustrator Sam Zimmerman (Ojibwe direct descendant) together have crafted a loving tribute that gently demonstrates recognition and acknowledgement of the nations of people who first called these lands home.

Image of artwork and 3d book cover of I Am On Indigenous Land by Katrina M. Phillips and illustrated by Sam Zimmerman

Tana Cooks!

New series launch with Choctaw character who loves to cook

Tana Cooks! is a new, early chapter book series by Choctaw author Stacy Wells. Tana Williams loves to be in the kitchen creating wonderful foods for her friends and family. Alongside her chef dad, Tana uses cooking to learn more about her Choctaw culture, to show others she cares, and to simply have fun! In this story, Tana's good friend Ana is nervous about auditioning for the second-grade school play. As Tana looks for ways to help her friend, she cooks to express her love and care for her friend. Will she find the winning recipe to keeping Ana calm and confident? 

Image of pink heart illustration filled with different foods and book cover image of Tana Cooks with Care by Stacy Wells, illustrated by Maria Gabriela Gama

Faye and the Dangerous Journey

History made personal by experiencing it through a fictional character

In the fall of 1850, Faye and her family begin a long, difficult journey with thousands of other Ojibwe people to receive money the U.S. government owes them. But why isn’t the money being delivered to them in Wisconsin, as usual? Why must they walk and canoe all the way to the middle of Minnesota in terrible weather? These are questions Faye asks, but the answers don’t make sense. When her family reaches their destination, Mama is sick, and there is no money as promised. Will Faye and her family make it back home? Will there be a home to return to? In this gripping story with nonfiction backmatter—including an author’s note, discussion questions, and more—readers will learn about the traumatic events of the Sandy Lake Ojibwe removal in this Girls Survive historical fiction.

Book cover image of Faye and the Dangerous Journey by Kim Sigafus, illustrations by Soia Di Chiara Manetti

Explore PebbleGo Next Indigenous People’s History

Developed in collaboration with Dr. Katrina Phillips, a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe and associate professor of Native American history at Macalester College, PebbleGo Next Indigenous People’s History ensures educators have the essential resources needed to deliver thoughtful, accurate, and engaging lessons on this important topic. The digital collection for learners in grades 3-5 includes more than 50 content articles with:

  • Indigenous nations today, including cultural practices, government, and federally images for a balanced depiction of historical and modern Indigenous peoples
  • The treatment of Indigenous people, including forced removals and broken treaty promises
  • Critical thinking questions, a timeline, video, citation tool, and guide to important terminology
Image of screenshot from PebbleGo Next Indigenous People’s History module

Educator Resources and Downloadables

Thumbnail image of downloadable bookmarks featuring wildlife from the Wilderness Ridge chapter book series by Art Coulson and Monica RoeThumbnail image of downloadable bookmarks featuring wildlife from the Wilderness Ridge chapter book series by Art Coulson and Monica Roe
Wildnerness Ridge
Bookmarks 
Thumbnail image of downloadable bookmarks featuring Liam Kingbird from the Liam Kingbird's Kingdom early chapter book series by Andrew StarkThumbnail image of downloadable bookmarks featuring Liam Kingbird from the Liam Kingbird's Kingdom early chapter book series by Andrew Stark
Liam Kingbird's Kingdom
Bookmarks
 
Liam KingbirdLiam Kingbird
Liam Kingbird's Kingdom
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Thumbnail image of Liam Kingbird's Kingdom Reading Extension Ideas activity sheetThumbnail image of Liam Kingbird's Kingdom Reading Extension Ideas activity sheet
Liam Kingbird's Kingdom
Reading Extension Ideas 
Tana CooksTana Cooks
Tana Cooks
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Tana Cooks bookmarksTana Cooks bookmarks
Tana Cooks Bookmarks 
Tana Cooks coloring sheetsTana Cooks coloring sheets
Tana Cooks coloring sheet
Tana Cooks recipeTana Cooks recipe
Tana Cooks recipe

Meet Liam Kingbird!

Say boozhoo (hello) to Liam Kingbird! Liam is eight years old and lives on an Ojibwa reservation. Quiet, creative Liam is a thinker, a dreamer . . . and sometimes a worrier. New experiences can be scary for Liam, but talking with his mom, drawing pictures, and listening to his heart always steer him in the right direction.

Featuring an introspective Indigenous boy with a cleft lip and a beautiful spirit, Liam Kingbird's Kingdom is a charming series for K–3 that will resonate with readers who like to think before they leap. Debut children's author Andrew Stark was raised on the Ojibwa Indian Reservation in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Andrew's personal experience is shared with his character Liam through their Ojibwa culture and cleft lip—features celebrated in the stories as traits that make Liam special.

Sneak-a-peak at Liam the Lion below!

Book cover image and illustrated character art from Liam the Lion by Andrew Stark, illustrated by Emily Faith Johnson

Why We Celebrate Native American Heritage Month

In this essay from author and professor of Native history Dr. Katrina M. Phillips, she underscores that Native American Heritage Month isn’t just meant for Native people—it’s a time for everyone to remember and reflect.

“Native American Heritage Month is a chance to celebrate Indigenous resourcefulness, resistance, and resilience. It’s a recognition of Native peoples, cultures, and languages, and it’s an opportunity to honor our pasts, our presents, and our futures.”

Headshot photo of author Katrina M. Phillips and book cover image of Indigenous Peoples' Day

Teaching the Trail of Tears In Your Classroom

Author Andrea L. Rogers shares helpful ideas for educators to guide students in learning about the forced removal and displacement of Native Americans on the Trail of Tears. First and foremost, she urges to question everything you think you know about the Trail of Tears.

“When I began researching, I had little understanding of the logistics of moving the entire Cherokee Nation equaling about 16,000 people. I didn’t know about the internment camps. I didn’t know that many Cherokees died from preventable deaths because of their imprisonment. I didn’t know it was a time of drought and I hadn’t thought about how access to water would impact people being marched across a continent. In my book, I tried to distill years of historic information into a story that was accurate and that children could understand. In doing this work, I had to unlearn some things I grew up believing.”

Headshot photo of author Andrea L. Rogers and book cover image of Mary and the Trail of Tears: A Cherokee Removal Survival Story

Books by Native American and Indigenous Authors

Book cover image of Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army by Art Coulson, illustrated by Nick HardcastleBook cover image of Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army by Art Coulson, illustrated by Nick Hardcastle

Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army
By Art Coulson 

Book cover image of Indigenous Peoples' Day by Katrina M. PhillipsBook cover image of Indigenous Peoples' Day by Katrina M. Phillips

Indigenous People's Day
By Katrina M. Phillips 

 

3d book cover image of Liam and the Forest Friends by Andrew Stark and illustrated by Emily Faith Johnson3d book cover image of Liam and the Forest Friends by Andrew Stark and illustrated by Emily Faith Johnson

Liam Kingbird's Kingdom series
By Andrew Stark

 

Book cover image of The Disastrous Wrangel Island Expedition by Katrina M. Phillips, illustrated by David ShephardBook cover image of The Disastrous Wrangel Island Expedition by Katrina M. Phillips, illustrated by David Shephard

The Disastrous Wrangel Island Expedition
By Katrina M. Phillips 

 

Book cover image of Hoop Dancer Determination by Stacy Wells Book cover image of Hoop Dancer Determination by Stacy Wells

Hoop Dancer Determination
By Stacy Wells
 

Book cover image of Lure of the Lake by Art Coulson, illustrated by Gregor ForsterBook cover image of Lure of the Lake by Art Coulson, illustrated by Gregor Forster

Wilderness Ridge series 
By Art Coulson
 

Book cover image of Mary and the Trail of Tears: A Cherokee Removal Survival Story by Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Matt ForsythBook cover image of Mary and the Trail of Tears: A Cherokee Removal Survival Story by Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Matt Forsyth

Mary and the Trail of Tears:
A Cherokee Removal Survival Story

By Andrea L. Rogers 

Native American Heritage and History

Delve into the heritage and history of Native and Indigenous Americans with this comprehensive list of titles that celebrate both the contemporary lives and legacy of our nations first peoples.

Native American Heritage book group