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How to celebrate Indigenous People's Day in the classroom or at home. Download a classroom discussion PDF and follow along our book recommendations by Indigenous authors.

Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day | Our Spotlight Book Recommendations by Indigenous Authors

The second Monday of October in the United States marks Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a holiday that celebrates and honors the invaluable contributions of Indigenous Peoples while also commemorating their histories and cultures. Other countries recognize this day on different dates.

Despite where yours falls on the calendar, we wanted to take a moment to share a few of our favorite books by Indigenous authors and illustrators that you can read with your students to illuminate Indigenous voices today or any other point during the year.

Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard

Written by a member of the Seminole nation, Fry Bread is about much more than just it’s delicious namesake. Following a family’s process of creating fry bread, we learn about the ties that connect their modern lives and traditions with those of the past and how they all intertwine.

How to celebrate Indigenous People's Day in the classroom or at home. Download a classroom discussion PDF and follow along our book recommendations by Indigenous authors.

Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox by Danielle Daniel

Métis author/illustrator Danielle Daniel shares an introduction into Anishinaabe culture with her beautiful illustrations and poetic descriptions of different animals and their characteristics in the book Sometimes I Feel Like a Fox. Written to help connect her own son to his Indigenous heritage and the significance of totems, this book can help guide all children to learn new things about themselves.

My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom & Steph Littlebird

Award-winning and best-selling author of We Are Water Protectors, Carole Lindstrom (Anishinaablke/Métis) teams up with illustrator Steph Littlebird (Grand Ronde) in this new empowering picture book that pairs a relatable story with bold illustrations in celebration of hair and its significance across Indigenous cultures.

How to celebrate Indigenous People's Day in the classroom or at home. Download a classroom discussion PDF and follow along our book recommendations by Indigenous authors.

Remember by Joy Harjo & Michaela Goade

With simple, yet direct language, this gorgeous picture book adaptation of the poem “Remember” by U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo (Mvskoke) urges readers to take a moment to pause and reflect on who they are, the world they have come into and how everything is connected. Breathtaking illustrations by Caldecott-winning illustrator Michaela Goade (Tlingit and Haida) bring language to life with sweeping landscapes, designs and colors that swirl and melt together.

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell

In the book We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, author and member of the Cherokee nation Traci Sorell offers a glimpse into Cherokee culture while encouraging the expression of gratitude for things throughout the year. Sorell even includes words from the Cherokee language for readers to learn. This book inspires us to take a moment each day and reflect on not only the struggles but also the things around us that are special.

How to celebrate Indigenous People's Day in the classroom or at home. Download a classroom discussion PDF and follow along our book recommendations by Indigenous authors.

What’s My Superpower? By Aviaq Johnston

Nalvana, a young Inuk girl begins a quest to find her superpower after realizing that her friend Davidee has super speed. As she points out and celebrates each of her friends’ superpowers, she becomes increasingly worried that she will never be able to figure out her own superpower. She wonders; does she even have one? Her mother helps her to realize that her superpower was there all along; she is super at making others feel good about themselves. A lesson on finding your strengths, as well as building up others, this book is great read for younger students.

We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom

Anishinable/Métis author Carole Lindstrom is a proud member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe. We are Water Protectors conveys the urgency and importance of protecting our water and environment as well as traditions and community. Illustrator Michaela Goade, a member of Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska, brings each page to life with sweeping landscapes, designs and colors that swirl and melt together. Together, they urge readers to stand up and protect all living things by treating them with kindness and respect.

Walking Together by Elder Albert D. Marshall, Louise Zimanyi & Emily Kewageshig

Mi’kmaw elder Dr. Albert D. Marshall and French-Canadian and Hungarian professor/researcher Louise Zimanyi introduce readers to the concept of Etuaptmumk, or Two-Eyed Seeing, while journeying with children through nature as spring unfolds. Illustrator Emily Kewageshig (Anishnaabe) blends both traditional and contemporary materials and methods to highlight the Indigenous knowledge and culture that brings each page to life. 

How to celebrate Indigenous People's Day in the classroom or at home. Download a classroom discussion PDF and follow along our book recommendations by Indigenous authors.

Giving Thanks: A Native American Good Morning Message by Chief Jake Swamp & Erwin Printup, Jr.

In this childrens’ version of the Thanksgiving Address, Chief Jake Swamp (Tekaroniaeken, Akwesasne Mohawk) shares an inspirational message of gratitude for the natural world that is echoed in the unforgettable landscapes of artist Erwin Printup Jr. (Cayuga/Tuscarora) found on each page.

You can use this downloadable handout below to have discussions about the Native American culture, and the importance of respecting the land and taking care of all forms of life.

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This is meant to help your students understand the purpose of the book. Each question is meant to promote mindfulness and allow them to process the story and promote empathy for cultural traditions and the well-being of the environment.

For more blogs about Indigenous Peoples’ Day and honoring Native Americans, visit:

Honoring National Native American Heritage Month

Book Suggestion and Project Pairing to Honor National Native American Heritage Month

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How to celebrate Indigenous People's Day in the classroom or at home. Download a classroom discussion PDF and follow along our book recommendations by Indigenous authors.
How to celebrate Indigenous People’s Day in the classroom or at home. Download a classroom discussion PDF and follow along our book recommendations by Indigenous authors.

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  • Jeanne Bootz Brown

    Great resource! Thank you!

  • Linda Landre

    I wish you would have tied an art project to each book

    • Bethany

      Hi Linda! This is Bethany from Team Sparkle letting you know that we agree with you! These are such great books they all deserve their own lesson!

    • Patty

      Hi Linda…we have created lessons for some of these books inside our Sparklers Club membership. Are you a member? If not, this post will offer a few project ideas…
      https://www.deepspacesparkle.com/book-suggestion-project-pairing-honor-native-american-heritage-month/

  • Krista

    These are great books that meet many of our u it’s of study.

  • Meredith Werner

    Where are the Art Lesson connected to Indigenous People? These are great books but nothing is linked for a project or ideas

    • Bethany

      Hi Meredith! Are you a member? If so, you can find the full lesson for some of these books inside The Sparklers’ Club. The Sparklers’ Club is an affordable and flexible pay as you go monthly membership—perfect for anyone who teaches art to students aged K-7. To join the Sparklers’ Club waitlist and learn more about The Sparklers’ Club click here: https://deepspacesparkle.lpages.co/the-sparklers-club-. If you have any questions about the membership you can email support@deepspacesparkle.com.

  • Bonnie Tomm

    National Indigenous Peoples day June 21 in Canada

  • Gloria

    Do you have a Native American heritage month bundle coming out?

  • Sandra E.

    What about Hispanic Hertitage Month? Did I miss what you had to offer for this month long celebration?

  • Christine Sandow

    Great collection of books. I’m looking forward to exploring them.

  • Valerie Hollinger

    Thank you for the wonderful book selections. I am an amateur artist but after illustrating two children’s books for a friend who wrote them and asked me to join her in self publishing I was completely drained by the experience. This was all before my 5 grandchildren arrived. I have encouraged their art experiences as has our daughter who has talent herself. They read as a family all the time and will enjoy your selections. This is their first year in public school, previously having been in a classical/homeschool hybrid by my terminology. It is possible that I could gift your lessons to the school teachers now. I will check on that. Again thank you for your work in widening our world in the beauty of art.

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