Celebrate Native American Heritage

 
Native American Heritage Collection

Celebrate the ancestry and traditions of Native Americans with books and resources to enjoy throughout the year. Find activities, lesson plans, and puzzles to go with books & stories by treasured Indigenous authors & storytellers including Joseph Bruchac, John Steptoe, Donald F. Montileaux, Harriet Peck Taylor, and more. 

FILTER

1-80 of 80 results for All Resources

Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story

Written by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, Alexis Bunten and Illustrated by Garry Meeches

In this Wampanoag story told in a Native tradition, two kids from the Mashpee Wampanoag tribe learn...

Pre-K - 2nd

What Your Ribbon Skirt Means to Me: Deb Haaland's Historic Inauguration

Written by Alexis Bunten and Illustrated by Nicole Neidhart

Pia rushes over to the Indigenous community center after school. It’s where she goes every day to...

Pre-K - 3rd

Two Tribes

Written and Illustrated by Emily Bowen Cohen

Mia is still getting used to living with her mom and stepfather, and to the new role their Jewish...

3rd - 7th

The First Woman Cherokee Chief: Wilma Pearl Mankiller

Written by Patricia Morris Buckley and Illustrated by Aphelandra Messer

In 1985, Wilma Pearl Mankiller became the first woman Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. She...

K - 3rd

Becoming Miss Navajo

Written by Jolyana Begay-Kroupa

As a little girl, Jolyana Begay-Kroupa dreamed of becoming Miss Navajo. After years of learning the...

1st - 4th

A Letter For Bob

Written by Kim Rogers and Illustrated by Jonathan Nelson

Ever since the day Mom and Dad brought Bob home from the car dealership, Bob has been a part of...

Pre-K - 3rd

Powwow Day

Written by Traci Sorell and Illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight

It's powwow day, and River wants so badly to dance as she does every year. But she can't dance this...

Pre-K - 3rd

When We Gather (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast

Written by Andrea L. Rogers and Illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight

Nothing welcomes spring like a wild onion dinner!

As the dirt warms and green sprouts poke up, a...

Pre-K - 3rd
20811

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

Written by Traci Sorell and Illustrated by Frané Lessac
The Cherokee community is grateful for blessings and challenges that each season brings. This is...
Pre-K - 2nd
24569

Bearwalker

Written by Joseph Bruchac

From Joseph Bruchac, the author of the award-winning middle-grade thrillfest Skeleton Man, comes...

3rd - 7th

Mascot

Written by Charles Waters & Traci Sorell

In Rye, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC, people work hard, kids go to school, and football is...

5th - 8th

We Are Still Here!: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know

Written by Traci Sorell and Illustrated by Frané Lessac

Too often, Native American history is treated as a finished chapter instead of relevant and ongoing...

3rd - 7th

Encyclopedia of American Indian History & Culture: Stories, Timelines, Maps, and More (Nat Geo Kids)

Written by Cynthia O'Brien

More than 160 tribes are featured in this encyclopedia, which presents a comprehensive overview of...

3rd - 8th

Corn Is Maize: The Gift of the Indians

Written and Illustrated by Aliki

In this Let's-Read-and-Find-Out Science 2 book, award-winning author-illustrator Aliki tells the...

Pre-K - 3rd

Pushing up the Sky: Seven Native American Plays for Children

Written by Joseph Bruchac and Illustrated by Teresa Flavin

From acclaimed Native American storyteller Joseph Bruchac comes a collection of seven lively plays...

2nd - 5th

Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom

Written by Tim Tingle and Illustrated by Jeanne Rorex Bridges

This moving and original story is about the intersection of Native and African Americans. Choctaw...

2nd - 8th

The Standing Rock Sioux Challenge the Dakota Access Pipeline (Taking a Stand)

Written by Clara MacCarald

Explores the history, events, and aftermath of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribes protest of the Dakota...

5th - 10th

Sweetest Kulu

Written by Celina Kalluk and Illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis

This beautiful bedtime poem, written by acclaimed Inuit throat singer Celina Kalluk, describes the...

Pre-K -

Fatty Legs

Written by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Illustrated by Liz Amini-Holmes

Eight-year-old Margaret Pokiak has set her sights on learning to read, even though it means leaving...

4th - 7th

When the Shadbush Blooms

Written by Carla Messinger and Susan Katz and Illustrated by David Kanietakeron Fadden

My grandparents’ grandparents walked beside the same stream where I walk with my brother, and we can...

Pre-K - 2nd

Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina

Written by Maria Tallchief & Rosemary Wells and Illustrated by Gary Kelley

Growing up on the Osage Indian reservation, Maria Tallchief was a gifted pianist and dancer...

K - 3rd

Finding My Dance

Written by Ria Thundercloud and Illustrated by Kalila J. Fuller

In her debut picture book, professional Indigenous dancer Ria Thundercloud tells the true story of...

Pre-K - 3rd

At the Mountain's Base

Written by Traci Sorell and Illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre

A family, separated by duty and distance, waits for a loved one to return home in this lyrical...

Pre-K - 3rd
19720

The Rough-Face Girl

Written by Rafe Martin
In this Algonquin Indian version of the Cinderella story, a Rough-Face Girl wins the heart of a...
2nd - 3rd

March Toward the Thunder

Written by Joseph Bruchac

From the multi-award-winning author of Code Talker comes a Native American perspective on the Civil...

7th - 9th
24596

Rez Dogs

Written by Joseph Bruchac

From the U.S.'s foremost Indigenous children's author comes a middle grade verse novel set during...

3rd - 7th

Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series

Written by Traci Sorell and Illustrated by Arigon Starr

The true story of John Meyers and Charles Bender, who in 1911 became the first two Native American...

1st - 4th

She Persisted: Maria Tallchief

Written by Christine Day & Chelsea Clinton and Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger & Gillian Flint

Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger...

1st - 4th

Birdsong

Written and Illustrated by Julie Flett

When Katherena and her mother move to a small town, Katherena feels lonely and out of place. But...

Pre-K - 3rd

She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller

Written by Traci Sorell & Chelsea Clinton and Illustrated by Alexandra Boiger & Gillian Flint

Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger...

1st - 4th

Peacemaker

Written by Joseph Bruchac

A twelve-year-old Iroquois boy searches for peace in this historical novel based on the creation of...

4th - 7th

The Barren Grounds: The Misewa Saga, Book One

Written by David A. Robertson

Morgan and Eli, two Indigenous children forced away from their families and communities, are brought...

5th - 8th

Kapaemahu

Written by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu & Dean Hamer & Joe Wilson and Illustrated by Daniel Sousa

An Indigenous legend about how four extraordinary individuals of dual male and female spirit, or...

Pre-K - 3rd

When We Were Alone

Written by David Alexander Robertson and Illustrated by Julie Flett

A young girl notices things about her grandmother that make her curious. Why does her grandmother...

K - 3rd
16624

Code Talker: A Novel About The Navajo Marines Of World War Two

Written by Joseph Bruchac

Told through the eyes of 16-year-old Ned Begay, follow the true story of the Navajo code talkers and...

7th - 9th

Race to the Sun (Rick Riordan Presents)

Written by Rebecca Roanhorse

Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents critically acclaimed indigenous fantasy writer Rebecca...

3rd - 7th

Wilma Mankiller (Little People, BIG DREAMS)

Written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Illustrated by Alexandra Bowman

Growing up, little Wilma was surrounded by her Cherokee heritage. Her parents taught her to be proud...

Pre-K - 2nd

Imaginary Borders (Pocket Change Collective)

Written by Xiuhtezcatl Martinez and Illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky

In this personal, moving essay, environmental activist and hip-hop artist Xiuhtezcatl Martinez uses...

7th - 9th

Sasquatch and the Muckleshoot (The Unicorn Rescue Society)

Written by Adam Gidwitz & Joseph Bruchac and Illustrated by Hatem Aly

Among the towering fir trees of the Pacific Northwest, a famously elusive creature is in serious...

2nd - 5th
21016

I Sang You Down from the Stars

Written by Tasha Spillett-Sumner and Illustrated by Michaela Goade
As she waits for the arrival of her new baby, a mother-to-be gathers gifts to create a sacred bundle...
Pre-K - 3rd
15191

Tasunka: A Lakota Horse Legend

Written and Illustrated by Donald F. Montileaux
In this Lakota legend, a young warrior sets out on a search for food and instead discovers a...
1st - 4th
20801

My Heart Fills With Happiness

Written by Monique Gray Smith and Illustrated by Julie Flett
The sun on your face. The smell of warm bannock baking in the oven. Holding the hand of someone you...
Pre-K - 2nd

A is for Aboriginal (First Nations Reader)

Written by Joseph MacLean Mr. and Illustrated by Brendan Heard Mr.

A is for Aboriginal is the first in the First Nations Reader Series. Each letter explores a name, a...

K - 6th
21101

We Are Water Protectors

Written by Carole Lindstrom and Illustrated by Michaela Goade
Inspired by the many Indigenous-led movements across North America, We Are Water Protectors issues...
Pre-K - 6th

Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior

Written by Carole Lindstrom and Illustrated by Bridget George

The seventh generation is creating
A sea of change.

It was a soft voice, at first.
Like a ripple.
But...

Pre-K - 3rd

Go Show the World: A Celebration of Indigenous Heroes

Written by Wab Kinew and Illustrated by Joe Morse

"We are a people who matter." Inspired by President Barack Obama's Of Thee I Sing, Go Show the World...

K - 4th
15246

Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer

Written by Bill Wise and Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth

On a Maine summer day in 1884, twelve-year-old Penobscot Indian Louis Sockalexis first fell in love...

1st - 5th
15252

Powwow's Coming

Written and Illustrated by Linda Boyden
This book, written in rhyme, is about an Native American/American Indiana powwow.
Pre-K - 3rd
15491

Eagle Song

Written by Joseph Bruchac and Illustrated by Dan Andreasen
The story of fourth-grader Danny Bigtree who is trying to adjust to life in Brooklyn. He misses his...
2nd - 5th
15515

The Story of Jumping Mouse

Written and Illustrated by John Steptoe
Based on a Native American legend, this story is about a mouse who goes on a long, dangerous journey...
Pre-K - 3rd
21178

I Can Make This Promise

Written by Christine Day

All her life, Edie has known that her mom was adopted by a white couple. So, no matter how curious...

3rd - 7th
15174

Jingle Dancer

Written by Cynthia Leitich Smith and Illustrated by Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu

The cone-shaped jingles sewn to Grandma Wolfe's dress sing tink, tink, tink, tink… 

Jenna loves the...

Pre-K - 3rd
15202

Buffalo Bird Girl: A Hidatsa Story

Written and Illustrated by S.D. Nelson
Born in 1839, Buffalo Bird Girl, Waheenee, was a member of the Hidatsa tribe of the Great Plains...
1st - 5th
15394

The Birchbark House

Written by Louise Erdrich
The first book in the series about Omakayas and the Ojibwe community from 1847 to modern times. The...
4th - 7th
15188

Rabbit's Snow Dance

Written by James & Joseph Bruchac and Illustrated by Jeff Newman
Rabbit is impatient. He wants things when he wants things and right now he wants to see some snow...
Pre-K - K

Encounter

Written by Brittany Luby and Illustrated by Michaela Goade

A powerful imagining by two Native creators of a first encounter between two very different people...

Pre-K - 3rd
15119

Buffalo Song

Written by Joseph Bruchac and Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth
By the late 1800s, American buffalo (bison) were nearly extinct. Drawing on Native Indian history...
1st - 6th

Not My Girl

Written by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard

Margaret can’t wait to see her family, but her homecoming is not what she expected. Based on the...

K - 2nd
21168

Indian No More

Written by Charlene Willing Mcmanis & Traci Sorell

Regina Petit's family has always been Umpqua, and living on the Grand Ronde reservation is all ten...

4th - 7th
15254

Saltypie: A Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light

Written by Tim Tingle and Illustrated by Karen Clarkson
A Choctaw boy shares memories of his grandmother and the lessons she taught him.
K - 5th
21102

Atariba and Niguayona: A Story from the Taino People of Puerto Rico (Tales of the Americas) (English & Spanish edition)

Written by Harriet Rohmer & Jesus Guerrero Rea and Illustrated by Consuelo Mendez Castillo

A Taino Indian legend about a young boy and his search for the healing caimoni tree.

2nd - 5th
15634

Bull Trout's Gift

Written by Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Illustrated by Sashay Camel
“We were wealthy from the water,” Mitch Smallsalmon says, and like all the tribal elders, he speaks...
3rd - 7th
20758

Kunu's Basket: A Story from Indian Island

Written by Lee DeCora Francis and Illustrated by Susan Drucker
Kunu is from the Penobscot Tribe located on Indian Island in Maine. They have a deep tradition in...
3rd - 7th
15555

Storm Boy

Written and Illustrated by Paul Owen Lewis
Striking and powerful illustrations tell the story of a Native American prince who gets taken by a...
K - 3rd

Elatsoe

Written by Darcie Little Badger and Illustrated by Rovina Cai

Elatsoe—Ellie for short—lives in an alternate contemporary America shaped by the ancestral magics...

6th -

The Marrow Thieves

Written by Cherie Dimaline

Just when you think you have nothing left to lose, they come for your dreams.

Humanity has nearly...

7th -
21111

The People Shall Continue

Written by Simon Ortiz and Illustrated by Sharol Graves
This book traces the progress of the Indians of North America from the time of the Creation to the...
2nd - 4th
17096

Undefeated: Jim Thorpe And The Carlisle Indian School Football Team

Written by Steve Sheinkin
Undefeated: Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team is an astonishing underdog...
5th - 7th
20733

Wild Berries

Written and Illustrated by Julie Flett
Clarence delights in meeting an ant, a spider, and a fox while spending the day picking blueberries...
Pre-K - 3rd
21105

The First Americans: Tribes of North America

Written by Jane Werner Watson
This book introduces the way of life of the various groups of native Americans before the arrival of...
1st - 3rd

The Blackfeet (Native American Nations)

Written by Ona Knoxsah

The Blackfeet Nation is one of the largest Native American nations. They have lived in the Rocky...

3rd - 8th

The Cherokee (Native American Nations)

Written by Ona Knoxsah

The Cherokee people are Native Americans that once lived in and around the Appalachian Mountains...

3rd - 8th

The Hopi (Native American Nations)

Written by Liz Sonneborn

Living in the Four Corners region of the Southwest, the Hopi are a Native American nation who still...

3rd - 8th

The Navajo (Native American Nations)

Written by Ona Knoxsah

The Navajo Nation is one of the largest Native American tribes. Today, their lands make up over 27...

3rd - 8th

The Shawnee (Native American Nations)

Written by Liz Sonneborn

The Shawnee once lived across the eastern United States. They thrived as a fierce group of warriors...

3rd - 8th

The Sioux (Native American Nations)

Written by Ona Knoxsah

The Sioux are a confederacy of Native American tribes that speak three different dialects: Lakota...

3rd - 8th

The Ojibwe (Native American Nations)

Written by Betty Marcks

The Ojibwe are among the largest Native American nations today. There are dozens of bands throughout...

3rd - 8th

Native American Heritage Word Search for Grades K-2

Celebrate our Native American Heritage with a Word Search puzzle created for young readers. Use as a...

Native American Heritage Word Search for Grades 3-5

Celebrate our Native American Heritage with a Word Search puzzle. Use as a printable or interactive...

Native American Heritage Word Search for Grades 6-8

Celebrate Native American Heritage culture and traditions with a Word Search puzzle. Use as a...