American Indian/Alaska Native Education Literature

*Bussey, M.T. Aube Na Bing. A Pictorial History of Michigan Indians.
Grand Rapids, Michigan, Indian Press, 1988.

*Cleland, Dr. Charles E. Rites of Conquest. University of Michigan Press, 1992.

*Clifton, James A. People of the Three Fires: The Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Ojibway of Michigan. Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council, 1986.

*Dobson, Pamela J. The Tree That Never Dies: Oral History of Michigan Indians. Grand Rapids Public Library, 1978.

*Tanner, Helen Hornbeck. Atlas of Great Lakes Indian History. University of Oklahoma Press, 1987.
For the serious reader! Over 400 pages of maps and detailed information on settlement locations, battle sites, migration patterns, etc., from 1640 to 1871.

*Vogel, Virgil J. Indian Names in Michigan. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1985.

*Weatherford, Jack. Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World. New York. Fawcett-Columbine, 1989. Native Roots: How the Indians Enriched America. Crown Pub. 1991. Two very readable books offering detailed coverage of many and various Native American contributions that have changed the nature of the world and the way we think-agriculture, philosophy, governance, architecture.

Weeks, George. Sleeping Bear, Its Lore, Legends, and First People. Glen Arbor: Cottage Book Shop and Historical Society of Michigan, 1988.

For Elementary/Middle School/High School Age

*Benton-Banai, Edward. The Mishomis Book. St. Paul: Indian Country Press, 1979. Although written for children, this book provides excellent reading on Great Lakes Native American spiritual belief (elementary reading level; content all ages).

*Bussey, M.T. Aube Na Bing, A Pictorial History of Michigan Indians. Grand Rapids: Michigan Indian Press, 1988 (all ages).

*Caduto, Michael J. & Joseph Bruchac. The Keeper Series.
-Keepers of Life Discovering plants through Native American stories and earth activities for children.
-Native Plant Stories
-Keepers of the Animals Native American stories and wildlife activities for children.
-Native American Animal Stories
-Keepers of the Earth Native American stories and environmental activities for children.
-Native American Stories
-Keepers of the Night Native American stories and nocturnal activities for children.

*Clifton, James A. People of the Three Fires: The Ottawa, Potawatomi, and Ojibway of Michigan. Grand Rapids: Grand Rapids Inter-Tribal Council, 1986 (middle school age and above).

*Deur, Lynne. Nishnawbe, A Story of Indians in Michigan. River Road Publications, 1981. Numerous black-and-white illustrations, with a glossary of terms (for the 3rd- to 5th-grade reader).

*Dobson, Pamela J. The Tree That Never Dies: Oral History of Michigan Indians. Grand Rapids Public Library, 1978 (high school age).

George, Chief Dan. My Spirit Soars. Hancock House, 1989. 96 ppg. 088839-231-1 pap.

Harvey, Karen D. and Harjo, Lisa D. Indian Country: A History of Native People in America. North American Press, 1994.

*Johnston, Patronella. Tales of Nokomis. This collection of traditional Ojibway folktales was written by Patronella Johnston, of the Cape Croaker Reserve in Ontario, Canada. This 65-page book features full color illustrations by Ojibway artist Frances Kagige. Its charming stories are easy to read, and are appropriate for 4th-grade and higher readers, or to be read aloud by the teacher. $6.95.

More than Bows and Arrows. Videotape. ca.1985. (Available from Camera One Productions, 431-A N. 34th St., Seattle, WA 98103). A 56-minute video giving a very balanced, accurate and fascinating portrayal of Native American contributions to American and general world governance, economy and culture.

Northeast Indian Quarterly. American Indian Program, 300 Caldwell Hall, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY 14853. Indian Roots of American Democracy, Northeast Indian Quarterly Journal. The proceedings of a 1988 conference at Cornell Univ. Speakers at the original conference included both academicians and Haudanosaunee (Iroquois) elders, offering a very balanced approach. The Winter 1989 issue of the Northeast Indian Quarterly gives more recent findings on the historical study of Native American contributions to democracy.

Mowat, Farley. Never Cry Wolf. Dell Publishing Co.,1983. (There is also a motion picture based on this book.) 176 pp. 0553-26624-1 pap. Bantam.

Underwood, Paula. Who Speaks for Wolf. A Tribe of Two Press, P.O. Box 913, Georgetown, TX 78627.

Underwood, Paula. Winter White and Summer Gold. A Tribe of Two Press, P.O. Box 913, Georgetown, TX 78627.

Underwood, Paula. Many Circles, Many Paths. A Tribe of Two Press, P.O. Box 913, Georgetown, TX 78627.

*Vogel, Virgil J. Indian Names in Michigan. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 1985 (middle school and above).

Updated: February 12, 2009 12:30 PM