Indigenous Voices

November is Native American Heritage Month. It is a time to recognize the history, traditions, and lasting impact of Indigenous peoples. On the library’s second floor, you will find a display of books by Native authors. Their stories highlight the strength of storytelling and invite readers to see the world in new ways.

For the readers who enjoy nonfiction, “Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer (305.897 Kim) offers a beautiful mix of science, spirituality, and reflection. Kimmerer, a botanist and member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation, shows how Indigenous wisdom and scientific knowledge can work together to deepen our relationship with the natural world. In “Dog Flowers: A Memoir” (921 Geller, D.), Danielle Geller pieces together her mother’s life and her own search for belonging through letters, photographs, and personal reflection.

For those drawn to fiction, “The Berry Pickers” by Amanda Peters (FIC Peters) tells the story of a young Mi’kmaq girl who is taken from her family in the 1960s and the lifelong search that follows, revealing how loss and love shape generations. Tommy Orange’s “Wandering Stars” (FIC Orange) follows the descendants of survivors of the Sand Creek Massacre as they navigate inherited trauma and identity in modern America. Louise Erdrich’s “The Night Watchman” (FIC ERD) is a novel based on her grandfather’s real-life efforts to protect Native American land and rights in 1950s North Dakota. It combines his personal story with the larger struggle of Native communities fighting to survive and stay on their land.

For anyone interested in darker themes, Nick Medina’s “Indian Burial Ground” (FIC Medina) offers a story filled with horror and suspense. Set on a reservation where supernatural forces intertwine with real-world trauma, it explores the pain that comes from cultural disconnection. In a similar theme, “The Only Good Indians” by Stephen Graham Jones (FIC Jon) shows how the past can return in haunting ways, testing bonds of friendship and survival.

Together, these books reveal the depth and diversity of Indigenous storytelling. Every story opens a window into a different world, whether it’s shaped by nature, family memories, or a bit of magic. The voices in this display remind us that Indigenous stories are not only part of the past but also an important part of literature today. Visit the library to explore these titles and discover more works by Indigenous authors. Many are also available to check out digitally on our free Libby app.