Indigenous People's Literature

Every November, we honor the talent, wisdom, and histories of the Indigenous peoples of the United States. Featuring poetry, memoirs, fiction, and more, the selections in this Collection highlight the range of voices, experiences, and literary contributions of Indigenous writers.

If I Ever Get Out of Here

by Eric Gansworth

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Music, Friendship

Tags Realistic Fiction, Bullying, Children`s Literature, Arts & Culture, World History, Historical Fiction, Music

If I Ever Get Out of Here (2013), by Eric Gansworth—a member of Onondaga Nation and Haudenosaunee—is a young adult, contemporary fiction novel about a teenage boy, Lewis “Shoe” Blake. Lewis narrates his struggles fitting into life in junior high and navigating the cultural differences between his life on the reservation, which he refers to as “the rez,” and that of his white classmates.Other work by this author includes Apple: Skin to the Core.Plot SummaryThe... Read If I Ever Get Out of Here Summary

I Lost My Talk

by Rita Joe

Publication year 2007

Genre Poem, Fiction

Themes Race, Indigenous Identity, Forgiveness, Grief, Memory, Language, Childhood & Youth, Colonialism, Wins & Losses, Literature

Tags Lyric Poem, Education, Arts & Culture, Diversity, History of the Americas, Race & Racism, Trauma & Abuse, Colonialism & Postcolonialism

... Read I Lost My Talk Summary

Indian Givers

by Jack Weatherford

Publication year 1988

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Indigenous Identity

Tags US History, Race & Racism, Anthropology, Anthropology, World History

Published in 1988 and written by anthropologist Jack Weatherford, Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World traces the substantial and often over-looked contributions of American Indians to modern society. Despite his lack of formal training as a historian of American native cultures, Weatherford’s anthropological rigor shines through: Indian Givers has been widely praised for its insight, though occasionally criticized for relying too heavily on secondary literature. This study guide refers to... Read Indian Givers Summary

Indian Horse

by Richard Wagamese

Publication year 2012

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Shame & Pride

Tags Education, Education, Sports, World History, Historical Fiction

Indian Horse (2012) is a novel written by Canadian author Richard Wagamese. The story follows Saul Indian Horse, an Ojibway boy from northern Ontario who escapes his demons and rough childhood through hockey, only to succumb to alcohol after losing his joy for the game.Content Warning: The source material and this guide include instances and discussions of rape, assault, racism, and substance use disorder.Plot SummaryAs a young boy, Saul lives in the bush and has... Read Indian Horse Summary

Indian Killer

by Sherman Alexie

Publication year 1996

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fathers, Hate & Anger

Tags Mystery & Crime Fiction, Horror & Suspense, Modern Classic Fiction

Sherman Alexie’s 1996 novel Indian Killer is part crime thriller and part darkly humorous study of interracial violence. This guide uses the 1996 edition published by The Atlantic Monthly Press, New York. Telling the story of a serial killer known as the Indian Killer, the novel progresses through many short chapters that shift between the viewpoints of multiple characters. Although the characters are not actually narrators, the narrative voice closely follows their experiences and perspectives... Read Indian Killer Summary

Jonny Appleseed

by Joshua Whitehead

Publication year 2018

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Memory, Sexual Identity, Gender Identity, Self Discovery

Tags LGBTQ+, Modern Classic Fiction

The novel Jonny Appleseed by Joshua Whitehead was originally published in 2018 by Arsenal Pulp Press. Whitehead, a queer Indigenous writer from Peguis Frist Nation, uses the auto-fictional character of Jonny to explore the intersections of LGBTQ+ and Indigenous identity. The novel was a 2021 Canada Reads Winner and the winner of a Lambda Literary Award. It was also a Globe and Mail Best Book of the Year and longlisted for the Scotiabank Giller Prize.This... Read Jonny Appleseed Summary

Keeper'n Me

by Richard Wagamese

Publication year 1994

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Indigenous Identity, Environment, Colonialism

Tags Coming of Age, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction, Philosophy, Philosophy

... Read Keeper'n Me Summary

Kiss of the Fur Queen

by Tomson Highway

Publication year 1998

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Fear, Forgiveness, Hate & Anger, Shame & Pride, Justice, Religion & Spirituality, Family, Childhood & Youth, Colonialism

Tags Realistic Fiction, Coming of Age, Trauma & Abuse, Animals, Love & Sexuality, LGBTQ+, World History, Historical Fiction, Canadian Literature

... Read Kiss of the Fur Queen Summary

Lakota Woman

by Mary Crow Dog

Publication year 1990

Genre Autobiography / Memoir, Nonfiction

Themes Indigenous Identity

Tags Race & Racism, Gender & Feminism, World History, Biography

Published in 1990, Lakota Woman is a memoir by Mary Crow Dog, member of the Brule Tribe of the Western Sioux and activist in the American Indian Movement. Crow Dog’s book recounts her increased awareness of the subjugation of her people and of women within her own tribe. It also discusses how poverty, alcoholism, and crime on the reservations are the inevitable results of government regulations that have oppressed and dehumanized Native Americans, forcing them... Read Lakota Woman Summary

LaRose

by Louise Erdrich

Publication year 2016

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Revenge, Family

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Historical Fiction

Published in 2016 and winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award, LaRose is a work of fiction written by author Louise Erdrich, an enrolled member of the Ojibwe people. The novel takes place on the land in and around an Ojibwe North Dakota reservation, the same physical setting as Erdrich’s previous award-winning novel The Round House. However, LaRose’s characters and time period differ from her previous book. LaRose takes place primarily during the years... Read LaRose Summary