National Native American Heritage Month

Every day is a good day to learn about Native People, communities, and issues. But this is especially true during Native American Heritage Month. During November, we invite allies to learn more about the contributions of Native people to American society and learn from the following resources largely produced (or entirely produced) by and for Native people.

This month, many people will be preparing to celebrate the holiday season with thoughts of comfort and joy, families, and friends. At First Nations, we encourage everyone to also take the time to celebrate Indigenous peoples – the sacred people who stood on the land before us. At all times, and especially now during Native American Heritage, we ask people to recognize the prayers of our ancestors and the culture that is interwoven in our everyday lives – from architecture, to street names, to sports, to many of the foods we eat today. Native American Heritage is engrained in many of the things we do and see.

Below, find resources, reading lists, and stories of success this Native American Heritage Month and any time Native perspectives are considered. We encourage everyone to use these tools in their communities or as lesson plans in the classroom to nurture a deeper understanding of your Native and Indigenous neighbors.

Staff Book List: Staff members of First Nations have compiled a list of what they consider to be essential reading for anyone interested in the Native American experience.

Native American Children’s Literature Recommended Reading List: Find dozens of books recommended for preschool through high school ages, curated by Debbie Reese, PhD (Nambé Pueblo).

Tribal Lands Conservation (TLC) Fund Reading List: As part of First Nations’ Stewarding Native Lands Lands program, we encourage you to learn more about these books and the critical role of Native people and knowledge in the global environmental justice movement.

#NativeReads: For more than 200 years, Native literatures have been shaped and influenced by individuals from outside our tribal communities. It is time for citizens of sovereign tribal nations to define and articulate their own literary traditions. First Nations partnered with the Oak Lake Writers Society (Society) to increase knowledge and appreciation of Oceti Sakowin (Dakota, Lakota and Nakota) literatures.

Knowledge Center: Find resources, research, and publications on Native-led solutions, economic development, food sovereignty, and the issues affecting Native communities. These resources offer opportunities to learn from Native perspectives and deepen your understanding of the work advancing Native communities.

First Nations Development Institute – with the help of some of our great grantees – is offering cookbooks and recipes from Native American tribes and organizations. Preparing some of these dishes is a great way to bring a delicious taste of Native America to your table.

The new cookbooks include a regional version called Cooking Healthier with FDPIR Foods, and two local versions from the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and the STAR School, which serves the Navajo Nation. You can read or download these cookbooks for free at these links:

• Cooking Healthier with FDPIR Foods
• Oneida Traditional & Healthy Foods for Our Community Cookbook
• NIZHÓNÍGO ÍÍNÁ – Cooking with Navajo Traditional Foods