Today, October 1oth, is Indigenous People’s Day! It is important that we as a nation take the time to acknowledge and honor the native people who founded our land. Historically, classrooms across America have not taught about indigenous cultures, prominent Native American leaders, or any of their values and traditions. Instead, Columbus Day has been celebrated. Christopher Columbus’s colonization of native people has been glorified and the ugly truth of what he did was omitted.
One small step we can take to rectify this and do better going forward is to read books by and about indigenous people. I have compiled a list of picture books you can share with your family in celebration of Indigenous People’s Day. Books are one of the most powerful ways to encourage empathy for other people. By exposing young children to a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds at a young age, we will raise children who are attuned to diversity and inclusion.
Where are you from? by MeĢndez, Yamile Saied
We are grateful : otsaliheliga by Sorell, Traci
How the stars fell into the sky : a Navajo legend. by Oughton, Jerrie.
Bowwow powwow : bagosenjige-niimi’idim by Child, Brenda J.
Mission to space by Herrington, John B.
All around us by Gonzalez, Xelena
Sitting Bull : Lakota warrior and defender of his people by Nelson, S. D.
Fall in line, Holden by Vandever, Daniel W.
No matter what you end up reading, I hope your worldview is widened just a little bit and that you take some time to honor those who called our land home first.
