Great Stories About Native Americans- Guest Post
I love learning about America--this land that's been the home of my ancestors for more than four hundred years--and I love studying it with my children.
However, we would miss out if we confined our study to the past four centuries alone. Deeping our knowledge of this continent means we listen to the voices of the First Nations people who lived here before our ancestors and live today alongside us.
Here are a few of the growing list of books I look forward to reading, and re-reading, with my children as we study American and California history in the coming year.
A note for parents: Discussion of past tragedies between native peoples and settlers along with current complexities and issues of sovereign tribal nations within the United States is something we will tackle when our children are older. For now, I want my young children to first experience Native cultures through autobiographies, stories of life and legend, food and foraging, field trips, and powwows. And since any real study of culture and people will include religious practices and spiritual beliefs, I relate that in a way I feel is appropriate for them.
Board Books
A is for Acorn: A California Indian ABC by Analisa Tripp
I admit when I opened the package and saw this colorful book was based on the English alphabet, I felt both disappointed and a bit foolish. I'm not sure how I thought the author could do justice to the more than one hundred languages spoken by California native peoples in a toddler board book! Yet the illustrations convey a native perspective through this English book. For example, the word "house" has a picture of a modern house as well as three traditional house designs. And to my delight, printed on the back cover are a couple of dozen words for an acorn in native languages.
Coyote at the Big Time: A California Native Counting Book by Lyn Risling
Written by the same illustrator as "A is for Acorn", this book follows coyote's activities at the Big Time (a powwow or cultural gathering) and all that he sees. I love that this little board book is a springboard for more learning. Just what is this game that Coyote is playing? Can we learn to play it too?
Picture Books
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard
This rhythmic story describes what fry bread is, what it means to Native Americans, and how it is a symbol for family and the resilience of Native peoples. I love a good picture book with the author's notes and here the author takes eight pages to dig into fry bread and Native culture! In fact, my second favorite line from the book comes from the author's note: "[Breads] are communions, meant to be shared and loved with others, bread is not meant to be cooked for one." My very favorite line in the text is also an important lesson: "We are still here." As we study the history and people of this land, it's important to remember that Native Americans are not just people relegated to history: they are still here, passing down stories and culture to each generation that follows.
Hiawatha and the Peacemaker by Robbie Robertson
The themes of forgiveness and healing are central to this lengthy picture book, relating the traditional story of Hiawatha and the Peacemaker who brought together five nations into one. The illustrations are rich, but some may be frightening to young children as the story begins with Hiawatha mourning the destruction of his village and the death of his wife and three daughters. The author, musician and songwriter Robbie Robertson, also recorded a song for the story and it's included on a CD in the book.
Indian Boyhood by Ohiyesa
Another book which was written from a similar cultural perspective as Standing Bear's "Indian Boyhood" is this one by Dakota Sioux doctor and prolific author Ohiyesa (Charles A Eastman in English). I look forward to comparing the boyhoods of these two Sioux men, one born on the west of the Missouri river in a band of Lakotas and one on the east side from a Dakota band.
More Great Picture Books About Native Americans:
Squanto's Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving by Joseph Bruchac
The First Strawberries by Joseph Bruchac
The Trail of Tears by Joseph Bruchac
Chapter and Reference Books
"The Great Law of the Iroquois Nations." The 117 laws within the Iroquois Confederacy's Great Law can be found online by clicking the title. This constitution lays out the government structure of what became the Six Nations. You can make a great study out of comparing the Great Law to the US Constitution, especially for older children. In fact, some believe the Great Law had a strong effect on the Founding Fathers as they searched for a government to bring together their thirteen states into one nation. The Great Law includes laws for peace and war, adoption, emigration, funeral addresses, baby naming ceremonies, and responsibilities of the chiefs at the nine yearly Thanksgiving festivals. A line from law #73 states: "The Great Creator has made us of the one blood and of the same soil he made us and as only different tongues constitute different nations he established different hunting grounds and territories and made boundary lines between them." Sounds very similar to Acts 17:26-27, doesn't it? "And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us..."
Seaweed, Salmon and Manzanita Cider: A California Indian Feast by Margaret Denise Dubin
This recipe book is filled with photos, both historic and 21st century, and stories, both personal and folk tales. The plants and animals that California Indians ate centuries ago are still eaten today and this book illustrates that. Don't be surprised if you see seaweed drying on our lawn after a trip to the beach this summer or hear my kids talk about toasted chia candy and acorn soup.
Native Ways: California Indian Stories and Memories edited by Malcolm Margolin and Yolanda Montijo
Many black and white photos accompany traditional tales, myths, songs, and descriptions of life and spiritual beliefs among California Indians. From basket weaving and tribal fishing laws to clothing and coming of age ceremonies, the editors used stories from many different tribes to illustrate life in what is now called California.
My Indian Boyhood by Luther Standing Bear
A contemporary of Laura Ingalls Wilder, Lakota Sioux Chief Luther Standing Bear authored several books. His nostalgic 1931 book, "My Indian Boyhood", was printed the year before Wilder's nostalgic "Little House in the Big Woods".
Standing Bear describes the traditional Lakota Sioux culture he was raised in during the 1860s and '70s before his people were moved to reservations. This book is full of details on the Lakota people's way of life and their value for bravery, generosity, and honor. We learned everything from children's games and names to how they tamed their wild ponies, how chiefs and medicine men were made, and the plants, trees, and animals that they lived among. My daughter, who at the time we first read this book was a self-proclaimed "herbivore" (her word, not mine), forced herself to listen to the description of a buffalo kill and contented herself with "at least they use every part of the animal." And how nothing makes you feel as wasteful as learning how our great-great-grandparents had a use for nearly everything. Chief Standing Bear wrote this book to the "boys and girls of America" and on first turning the page, I read his note: "I write this book with the hope that the hearts of the white boys and girls who read these pages will be made kinder toward the little Indian boys and girls." In tears, I tasted a little of his pain as I read the last lines of the book where he mourns the end of a way of life.
Native American Cards
These cards include information about many of the Native American tribes who first settled North America. Paired with beautiful paintings of tribe members by early American artists, these cards provide an introduction to the fascinating world of indigenous people in America and can be used as a daily morning time resource.
This year, I encourage you to dig into the history and culture of the First Nations who lived in your hometown and state. What is the original name for your city or region? What types of homes did the native peoples build and what native plants did they eat? Perhaps a field trip to a native cultural center would bring native culture alive and help you and your children learn more about their homeland by listening to native voices.
Guest Post by Mallory Vanderbilt Tipple. You can find her on the web here!
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why should we include Native American history in our homeschool?
Studying American history more fully includes learning about the Indigenous peoples who lived throughout North America long before European settlement and who continue to live in communities today. Exploring Native histories and cultures can give children a broader understanding of the places they call home.
How can I introduce Native American history to young children?
Begin with age-appropriate books, stories, biographies, food traditions, nature studies, crafts, and opportunities to learn about Native cultures from Native voices. Young children can explore how people lived, what they ate, the homes they built, and the traditions and stories passed down through generations.
What books about Native Americans are good for young children?
The post recommends several picture and board books, including A is for Acorn: A California Indian ABC, Coyote at the Big Time, Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story, The First Strawberries, Squanto's Journey, and Tapenum's Day.
What books can older children read about Native American history?
Older children can explore books such as My Indian Boyhood by Luther Standing Bear, Indian Boyhood by Ohiyesa, Native Ways: California Indian Stories and Memories, and Seaweed, Salmon and Manzanita Cider. These books provide opportunities to explore Native life, traditions, food, stories, and history in greater depth.
How can I choose respectful books about Native American cultures?
Look for books that provide specific cultural context rather than presenting Native peoples as a single, uniform group. Whenever possible, include works by Native authors and resources that allow Native people to tell their own stories and describe their own cultures.
Are all Native American cultures the same?
No. Indigenous peoples across North America represent many distinct nations, communities, languages, histories, traditions, and cultures. The books in this post include resources focused on particular peoples and regions, including California Indian and Lakota/Dakota experiences.
How can we study the Native history of where we live?
Begin by researching the Indigenous nations connected to your area. Learn the original or Indigenous names associated with the region, explore traditional homes and foods, and find out whether there are Native cultural centers, museums, educational programs, or public events where your family can learn from Native communities.
Can Native American history be part of our American history studies?
Yes. Native histories can be integrated naturally into broader studies of American and regional history. Geography, literature, food, nature study, biographies, government, and historical events can all provide opportunities to learn about Indigenous peoples and their continuing presence.
How can food be part of studying Native cultures?
Food provides a tangible way for children to learn about relationships between people and the land. Books such as Seaweed, Salmon and Manzanita Cider can introduce children to traditional foods, plants, animals, gathering practices, and contemporary perspectives.
How can nature study connect with Native American history?
Many of the recommended books explore people's relationships with plants, animals, waterways, and the land. Studying local plants and animals alongside the history of the Indigenous peoples who lived in your region can help children understand how geography and culture are connected.
Are Native American stories appropriate for homeschool read-alouds?
Many are, but parents should preview books and consider the age and sensitivity of their children. Some stories address death, violence, spiritual beliefs, or other difficult subjects. The post specifically notes that Hiawatha and the Peacemaker, for example, contains intense imagery at the beginning that may be frightening for some young children.
How can I teach Native American spiritual beliefs?
Spiritual beliefs are an important part of understanding many cultures, but they should be presented thoughtfully and in an age-appropriate way. Parents can explain that different communities have different beliefs and practices while distinguishing cultural understanding from their family's own religious beliefs.
How can I study difficult parts of Native American history with older children?
As children mature, families can expand their studies to include the historical conflicts, displacement, treaties, government policies, and other complex experiences that shaped relationships between Native nations and settlers and the United States. Older students can also examine contemporary issues affecting tribal nations.
What is the Great Law of the Iroquois Nations?
The Great Law of Peace is the constitutional tradition associated with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The post suggests that older students could study it alongside the U.S. Constitution as part of a broader exploration of government and political traditions. When making historical claims about its influence on the U.S. founding, it is important to distinguish documented evidence from interpretations or debated claims.
How can I make Native American history hands-on?
Pair books with experiences such as nature study, cooking, geography, art, field trips, or visits to Native cultural centers and museums. The goal is to move beyond memorizing facts and give children opportunities to explore specific cultures, places, and stories in meaningful ways.
Why is it important to remember that Native Americans are still here?
Native peoples are not simply a subject from the distant past. Native nations and communities continue to exist today, preserving languages, traditions, stories, arts, and cultural practices while participating in contemporary American life. Including contemporary Native voices helps children develop a more complete understanding of American history and culture.
