First People/American Indians/Native Americans in October/November + All Year Round

First People/American Indians/Native Americans

In October/November + All Year Round

by J.G. Annino

            SCBWI co-founder Lin Oliver is known for saying that

writers of picture books should read, digest & understand (not skim)

at least 100 picture books before attempting to write one. If they aspire to

publish a mighty fine p.b. of their own.

            Borrowing a page from Lin Oliver, today’s column suggests 

knowing, indepth, 100 books. On the Native American topic.

            Here are resources so that illustrators & writers, for children, can glean

100 great titles  & resources backed by authenticity on the topic of Native

Americans/First Peoples/American Indians.  And teachers & librarians not

writing for children may also enjoy time spent with the resources, too.

            Seeking out new titles, or, titles new to you, although written by Native

Americans decades back, helps counter books that don’t stand up to critical scrutiny.

Websites on the topic, operated by Tribe museums or Tribe governments are also

resources for titles & other information.

            It may just be that after reading 100, or 100+  titles, a writer may feel

that a book for children could emerge in better shape as a collaborative effort,

or at least with review during the process, by a Tribe member/Tribe staff who have

authentic deep connection.

                                                 How to Find Titles

CYNTHIA LEITICH SMITH – Longtime, active & supportive SCBWI member.

An award-winning children’s author with Native American heritage. Her pages offer

many fine resources.

http://www.cynthialeitichsmith.com/lit_resources/diversity/native_am/nat_lit/native_lit_novels.html

AMERICAN INDIANS IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE –Dr. Debbie Reese who

created & administers this encyclopedic site, is an enrolled Nambe Pueblo Tribe member & an expert on children’s literature. On the right hand side of the AICL resource, find articles & pages, such as books by grade & how to evaluate a book on a Native American topic. Also note her tabs at the top, where there is also a world of illumination such as, “We are not people of color.” If time is really limited, that one article can be a game-changer.

http://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/

OYATE – A site operated by Tribe members who specialize in evaluating

books on Native American/First Peoples topics, especially for school age.

http://oyate.org/index.php/workshops

            Below is a book I’m currently enjoying.

           

            Memoirs, written by Native Americans/First Peoples, help us understand the benefit for
the eventual child readers, if non-natives, or those without deep Tribe connections, such as years
teaching American Indian students, collaborate with Tribe members, in crafting books for children.

           

My Indian Boyhood – Chief Luther Standing Bear (Lakota name, OTA K’TE)

Univeristy of Nebraska Press

“The first white men to come to this country thought they had discovered

India, a land they had been searching for, so they named the people they

found here Indians. Through the mistake of these first white settlers, we have

been called Indians ever since.” c. Chief Luther Standing Bear

Topics covered include - food traditions, riding his dear pony in a way nearly invisible
to anyone by clinging to the side, only one leg slung over the animal’s back at full speed
from age six, survival skills for a child alone on the Plains, high standards of cleanliness,
using plants for perfumes & much more is covered in an eloquent way.

                                    THANKSGIVING ALERT!

            If you are wondering about the timing of this post, it appears

on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015 the famous Columbus Day in the great U.S.A.

It is also published early enough that if you seek titles to read in school

or share with young people at Thanksgiving, you can use these resources.

            It’s awkward for our profession to know that some well-intentioned 

Thanksgiving holiday books have sections that may not stand up to solid 

critique, applied by American Indians in Children’s Literature, Oyate & similar 

expert sites. 

            Once I answered a challenge about these ideas from a fine person, a children’s 

writer appearing at the same time I was at a big city book festival. The writer thought to 

change (“retell,” in the writer’s word) a Native American teaching that this writer termed 

a legend. It was a sacred teaching received by young Tribe members from Elders; not 

something to change. It was not thought of that way by the writer, who seemed frustrated 

that a Tribe member might not be thrilled with any attention given to the Tribe by a traditionally published children’s author.  My understanding was that an editor had already turned down the project, citing similar reasons. I said,  “We don’t know, what we don’t know.”

                                     Some Thanksgiving Information

            http://oyate.org/index.php/resources/43-resources/thanksgiving

              Also, American Indians in Children's Literature has several articles about
Thanksgiving books for schools and children.

 

            There are at least 500 recognized Tribes in North America. Their

traditions, history & status is complex & fascinating to study. I am only

beginning to learn.

                                    So, Why I Am Writing This?

            One of our group members thoughtfully suggested the topic.

            I waved my hand. In a long literary odyssey, I worked with a Tribe
member/family members & that person’s Tribe museum, (affiliated with the Smithsonian)
to bring an eye-opening p. b. biography to children in 2010. It is in print & used
in many classrooms and libraries. Although it received good national & state
recognition, the honor that I held my breath to receive, is that it is sold in the
Tribe’s museum bookstore & was promoted to their membership.  The family
sent me a kind note after publication.

            I appreciate you for being interested in the American Indian/Native American/
First Peoples topic.  Happy Columbus Day!

First Peoples in November: Kid Lit Heroes by Jan Godown Annino

First Peoples in November: Kid Lit Heroes by Jan Godown Annino

If you are around young readers who could benefit from some myth-busting about the heritage & culture of North America’s first peoples – and isn’t that a lot of kiddos? - I’ve found some accessible, expert resources.

The creators of the four sites here deserve hero status for more than one reason.

Notably, in their forging ahead with an important unsung job, the pushback sent their way surprised me when I first came across it in researching a book for kiddos. Since it’s thought that there are thousands of misconceptions about the hundreds of Native tribes in the Americas, it’s a bit of a gulp, to grasp why some folks, even writers intent in interpreting a First Peoples story for students, don’t want to catch up to speed.

Here then, I would like share a selection of some of the sturdy groups & individuals who tirelessly make the effort to send out a nuanced, more complete, message of North American tribes’ culture & history.

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN

Our family’s favorite history museum.

Not just because of the sublime recipes & meals we savor in front of the mesmerizing waterfall wall at its main Washington, D.C. location. But it’s true that sometimes we head to the cafeteria first, before visiting galleries in this building that is itself a work of art.

I treasure the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) for its celebration of living artists, for a vibrant sense of humor & an emphasis on how enrolled tribe members live in the moment, today. As a collections buff, the pull-out drawers of artifacts are also jaw-dropping.

And through the years we feel enriched from listening to Kevin Gover (Pawnee), the esteemed director, speak in the museum auditorium & also in the entry atrium as a rainbow pierced through to us from a sky window. He frequently says that he hopes the museum is a fun place for children to visit. From our experience, it is.

Your older students who are artists and members of Tribes should know about NMAI opportunities.

If you have time to take away one lesson from the museum website, where collections are available to view online, or from a visit in person, I hope it is that every library and school reference shelf deserves to hold the NMAI title, DO ALL INDIANS LIVE IN TIPIS?


“Are dream catchers an authentic tradition?”

“Do successful casino tribes help out poor tribes?”

“What is a Tom-Tom drum?”

“Why is there still poverty on some reservations?”

This isn’t a book that shies away from interesting questions. Or from a chuckle.

Your students’ reports will be enhanced by their reading of this book's evocative Qs and As. And your responses in family conversations or class discussions will shine as a result of lessons gleaned. NMAI is a Smithsonian-affiliate & located in N.Y.C. , with research & other materials in suburban Washington, D.C. & also it offer its most prominent, cliff-suggesting profile, on Our Nation’s Lovely Mall close to the U.S. Capitol.

AMERICAN INDIAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION

An affiliate of the American Library Association, this group is most publicly known for deciding the annual American Indian Youth Literature Award.

So of course that list is a guide to collection building for your home shelf or school or public library. The site also offers valuable research links. Also, you may want to let any tribe-affiliated student or adult you know, who is thinking about library service, about this site’s scholarship links and student membership opportunities with the American Indian Library Association.


AMERICAN INDIANS IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE

Dr. Debbie Reese may be the most important children’s literature specialist critically writing today on kids’ books that deal with depictions of tribe history, culture, & individual tribes or members’ characteristics & similar topics. Her site is American Indians in Children's Literature.

Stories written for young readers by non-Natives are usually intended to supply information by way of telling an entertaining story. Dr. Reese shares how easy it is to misrepresent, misinterpret or simplify to the point of silliness, complex details. Her site offers links to quality literature from valued primary sources, that is, created by literary & visual artists who are enrolled members of Tribes or who have proven deep connections to the topics, such as longtime residency with tribal peoples.

I felt fortunate to have met Dr. Reese (Nambe Pueblo, Upper Village/Yates Family) at an American Library Association national conference, where we were each appreciating a storytelling panel hosted by noted author Tim Tingle (Choctaw).


OYATE

In writing for children about Seminole Tribe of Florida elected leader Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, who was also a nurse, newspaper editor, a memoirist & a visual artist working in fabric/textiles, who had to wrestle alligators to help provide for her family, I wanted to attend one of Oyate’s workshops. But they were held in California & I couldn’t get there from way east in Florida. However, I was greatly benefited by reading reference books they created or endorsed. If you are in easy distance of an Oyate presentation, lucky you. In the meantime we can all visit the comprehensive titles list & website & order books from Oyate. Keep in mind that unlike AICH, this site is about literature for all ages, so for example, although it lists many picture books, many other books listed are suitable for adults.

This non-profit organization, co-founded by the poet and librarian Doris Seale (Santee/Cree/Abenaki),  provides important references, such as THANKSGIVING, A NATIVE PERSPECTIVE and also, HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE, A GUIDE TO EVALUATING CHILDREN’S BOOKS FOR ANTI-INDIAN BIAS.

Oyate also offers important music CD's.


Here is a literacy poster you may like:

 

image copyright Tulsa City-County Library, through the courtesy

of the blog, American Indians in Children's Literature/Dr. Debbie Reese

If today's topic endures with you as it does with me, you may further appreciate knowing:
1/
TALENTED author Cynthia Leitich Smith's list of recommended picture books from Tribe authors or illustrators, at a site where many other great American Indian/Native American links are listed. I especially like her picture book, JINGLE DANCER.
2/
POEMS resources, to share with young students, that are written by First Peoples/American Indian
authors, starting with a few titles at my Bookseedstudio site.