Native American Books

One of the best ways to understand a foreign culture is to look at it through the eyes of a child. Children's books can often be an easy way to learn the basics of a society, and Native American culture is no exception. American Indians in Children's Literature is a fantastic resource, run by Debbie Reese, a Native American. Debbie focuses on books that portray Native American life for children, some written by Native Americans.

A series of children's books written by Barbara A. Gray, an Akwesasne Mohawk, discusses a variety of Native American cultures, including Creek, Blackfoot, and Inuit. In addition to being written by a Native American, many are also illustrated by Native Americans. These books explore themes such as history, culture, and the mythology of the various tribes and provide an excellent glimpse into the Native American lifestyle.

Prior to the incursion of Europeans into North America, most Native American History was passed on through oral tradition. Some of these stories have been collected and are located at Cape Breton University.

Jeanette Dulce Henry Costo has written a number of histories from the Native American perspective including several about Native Americans in California. Her books are all nonfiction, and publication dates span two decades.

Andrew Blackbird was both a historian and tribal leader of the Ottawa. He wrote a number of books during the late 1800s and early 1900s about general Native American History and the grammar of his people.

By looking at the history of a people, written by those people, one is better able to gain a balanced perspective. Many of the historical references to the early Native American way of life were written by people who were looking at the way of life from outside of it. The above resources provide an inside look into the many fascinating cultures collectively known as Native American.