Children
We recommend these age-appropriate resources to teach young children about Native American history, culture, and ways of life.
Bowwow Powwow
Brenda J. Childs, Red Lake Nation. "Windy Girl attends a powwow and then dreams about a powwow of dogs. English with Ojibwe translation (2018)." (Native contributor and Minnesotan)
Grasshopper Girl
Teresa R. Peterson, Upper Sioux Community. "Young Psipsi is sick in bed. What will make her feel better? An Unktomi trickster story from her father lulls her to sleep. "Unktomi stories have been shared in Dakota families and communities for a very long time. This tradition continued into the childhood of my mother's generation. Depending upon location and community, variations of this Unktomi story have been told. This Unktomi story is a local version my mother and her siblings heard from their father, primarily when they were ill, perhaps to lend comfort in addition to impart lessons to a captive audience." — Teresa Peterson (2019)" (Native contributor and Minnesotan)
Matȟóla Ločhíŋ-He
Cheyenne River Community project, with illustrations by Tammy Grandados. "Matȟóla is a hungry little boy. What did mom cook today? Is it deer meat, pizza, hot dogs, lasagna, or a surprise?! This fun story practices questions and answers and ends with a traditional Lakota recipe for buffalo soup. This picture book is a Cheyenne River Community project written by the students in the Lakota Language Class at Dupree High School. (2021)" (Native contributor)
Anishinaabe Worldview: Ojibwe History, Culture, and Language
Delphine Red Shirt, Oglala Lakota Nation. "Anishinaabe Worldview: Ojibwe History, Language and Culture is an excellent illustrated beginning Ojibwe text for any individual interested in learning about the historical and contemporary lifestyle of the Ojibwe people, as well as a terrific guide to learning the language of the Anishinaabe, ‘Ojibwemowin’ (2017)." (Native contributor)
Four Hills of Life: Ojibwe Wisdom
Thomas D. Peacock, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Marlene Wisuri. With text and activities developed by Ojibwe elder and educator Thomas Peacock and heavily illustrated with photographs by Marlene Wisuri, The Four Hills of Life describes the journey taken by previous generations of Ojibwe and the relevance of these life lessons for young readers today (2011)." (Native contributor and Minnesotan)
The Good Path: Ojibwe Learning and Activity Book for Kids
Thomas D. Peacock, Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, and Marlene Wisuri. “Kids of all cultures journey through time with the Ojibwe people as their guide to the Good Path and its universal lessons of courage, cooperation, and honor. Through traditional native tales, hear about Grandmother Moon, the mysterious Megis shell, and the souls of plants and animals. Through Ojibwe history, learn how trading posts, treaties, and warfare affected Native Americans. Through activities designed especially for kids, discover fun ways to follow the Good Path's timeless wisdom every day (2009)." (Native contributor and Minnesotan)
Handbook of American Indian Games
Allan and Paulette McFarlan. "Fun-loving youngsters will find new trails to amusement in this varied collection of 150 spirited, entertaining and easy-to-play games once played by Indian tribes across America (1967)."
Sixties Scoop
Inez Cook, Naxalk Nation, and Jason Eaglespeaker, Blackfoot/Duwamish. "For decades, “scooping up” (taking) Indigenous children from their families for placement in foster homes or adoption, was commonplace. This is the story of one of those 20,000 children (2018)." (Native contributor)
Molly of Denali
PBS collection of videos, games, podcast, and printable activities. "The daily adventures of 10-year-old Alaska native Molly Mabray, her family, her dog Suki and her friends Tooey and Trini."