November is Native American Month. Today we are beginning a series where I look at books about different Native American cultures. This series was originally published in Christian Library Journal. I spent 20 years on the Navajo Reservation and this topic is one I am passionate about. No matter our culture of origin, we can and should learn more about the cultures around us.
The area where the Plains Indians live covers the middle part of North America from Texas into Canada. There are many books in libraries about Plains Indians. Whether you are located in the Great Plains, serve Native Americans of any tribe or serve the general population, books that teach about the Native America culture of North America deserve consideration for inclusion in your library. Several of the authors are either Native American or have lived near Native Americans. These authors’ knowledge of their subject matter improved the quality of their books.
My favorite book in this list is Alone in the Wilderness by Hap Gilliland. He takes a Native American and places him in a non-Native environment. The book shows the discrimination some Natives face and how one young person was able to use native skills to gain the respect of his non-Native classmates.
BLACKFOOT/BLACKFEET INDIANS
ACROSS THE STEEL RIVER by Ted Stenhouse (Kids Can Press, 2001, 1-55074-891-2, HB, 222p.)
Grades 5-7 Yellowfly is a local hero, at least to the Indians on the reserve. He is a decorated veteran of World War II. The whites of Grayson in 1952 have little use for the Indians. Arthur, an Indian, and Will, a white boy, stumble upon a man beaten and left for dead. The Mounty declares Yellowfly was hit by a train and, because Yellowfly is an Indian, the townspeople accept the Mounty’s faulty conclusion. Arthur and Will vow to find the real reason behind Yellowfly’s injuries. Because it is the 1950’s, people assume Arthur and Will will outgrow their friendship. Instead, during their search for justice, their friendship deepens and they challenge the town to courageously destroy their prejudice. Some language in the book may be inappropriate for some audiences. Author Ted Stenhouse grew up in Alberta. His knowledge of the Blackfoot people is evident in his writing. The story successfully shows what life was like for Native Americans in the 1950’s.
BLACKFOOT CHILDREN AND ELDERS TALK TOGETHER by E. Barrie Kavasch and illustrated by A. J. Group and John Bacolo (Power Kids Press, 1999, 0-8239-5228-2, HB, 24 p.)
Grades K-4 Author E. Barrie Kavasch uses elders and children of the Canadian Blackfoot people to tell of their customs and culture. The layout is similar to other books in The Library of Intergenerational Learning series. Each chapter is two pages long and, in many cases, one full page is a photograph. Readers will learn about traditional Blackfoot life, celebrations, the Blackfoot creation story, food and prayers of the Blackfoot people of Canada.
THE BUFFALO JUMP by Peter Roop and illustrated by Bill Farnsworth. (Rising Moon Publishers, 1996, 0-87358-731-6, HB, 32 p.)
Grades K-2 “I can run faster than he can.” Father chose Curly Bear, the older brother, over Little Blaze, the faster runner, to lead the buffalo over the cliff. Little Bear is angry and jealous. When his brother’s strength gives out and he stumbles in front of the stampeding buffalo, Little Bear forgets his own safety and helps his brother. For his bravery, his father gives him a new name, Charging Bull. While The Buffalo Jump is a story of how the Blackfeet Indians killed buffalo for meat and other needs of the people; author Peter Roop has also told the story of overcoming jealousy to help someone in need. The research done by Bill Farnsworth is evident in his realistic illustrations.
DAWN RIDER by Jan Hudson. (Puffin Books, 1990/2000, 0-698-11859-6, PB, 176p.)
Grades 5-8 Kit Fox has a way with animals so when her band of the Blackfoot captures a horse, she can’t wait to try to tame it. The problem is Kit Fox is a sixteen-year-old girl and the warriors have determined that the horse is dangerous and only the warriors should try to ride it. With the help of her close friend, Found Arrow, an eighteen-year-old boy, Kit Fox learns to ride the horse in secret. Kit Fox’s ability to ride the horse eventually helps her save her people. Dawn Rider is a fictional story which author Jan Hudson based on actual events in Blackfoot history. Many details of 18th century Blackfoot life are included in the story: family life, courtship, hunting, rites of passage, and interaction with other tribes.
CHEYENNE INDIANS
ALONE IN THE WILDERNESS by Hap Gilliland. (Naturegraph Publishers, Inc., 2001, 0-87961-257-6, PB, 158p).
Grades 8-Adult Flint is a Cheyenne whose family recently moved from the reservation to Billings. As a Native American in a new, non-Native environment, Flint is quiet and chooses to ignore negative, anti-Native remarks. When classmates question the wisdom of the Pilgrims inviting the Indians to the Thanksgiving celebration, he can take no more. The resulting exchange has Flint accepting a bet to take the next semester off from school and spend September 15 to December 15 in a wilderness area, living in a traditional Native way. The book is the story of Flint’s preparation for and survival of his three-month adventure alone in Beartooth Wilderness. Flint learns much about himself and his people. Alone in the Wilderness is one of the best books I’ve read. Author Hap Gilliland knows Native Americans and has done a wonderful job of weaving the Cheyenne culture into the story. Other than one brief mention of sex, this book would be an appropriate read-aloud for students as young as fourth grade.
CAPTIVE TREASURE by Milly Howard and illustrated by Cheryl L. Weikel. (Journey Forth, 1988, 0-89084-440-2, PB 167p).
Grades 3-5 The Talbot family is traveling by wagon train to help at a mission to the Indians. Carrie falls out of the wagon while trying to save the family Bible when they are chased by Cheyenne. Carrie is captured and, with the Bible, is taken several days journey to the Cheyenne village. There she is placed with a family in which the grandfather is familiar with the Bible. Carrie learns enough Cheyenne to lead the grandfather to Christ before he dies. Carrie stays with the family about a year before a trapper buys her freedom and helps her return to her family. Carries learns much about the Cheyenne way of life while living with the family. Author Milly Howard’s interest in history helps her to create believable historical fiction for children. Cheryl Weikel’s black and white drawings show many scenes throughout the book.
DAILY LIFE IN A PLAINS INDIAN VILLAGE, 1868 by Michael Bad Hand Terry. (Clarion Books, 1999, 0-395-97499-2, PB 48p).
Grades 2-6 Daily Life in a Plains Indian Village, 1868 starts with an introduction to four of the more than twenty Plains Indian tribes. It quickly centers on the life of one Northern Cheyenne family. The Village, the tipi and how to set one up are described. The chores and activities of men, women and children are shown through text and photographs. The religion, politics, festivals of the tribe and interactions with non-Cheyenne are briefly explained. The book ends with a timeline, glossary and list of sources and places to visit. Michael Bad Hand Terry has put together an excellent reference book on the Cheyenne. The book is illustrated with photographs of actual artifacts, replicas, and re-enactments of daily life.
A DAY WITH A CHEYENNE by Franco Meli and illustrated by Giorgio Bacchin. Translated by Dominique Clift (Runestone Press, 1998, 0-8225-1920-8, HB, 48p).
Grades 4-6 Part on of A Day with a Cheyenne contains reference material and seems to be accurate. Part two is “A Day with Painted Shield, a Cheyenne Hunter.” The story incorporates many items of Cheyenne life in the late 1800’s: a trip to the trading post, a buffalo hunt, a traditional Cheyenne game and story time with the elders around the evening fire. Unfortunately, the story is unbelievable in its time frame of one day in March. The buffalo hunt, the trip to the trading post and possibly the game were each daylong events by themselves. Also, buffalo hunts were usually held in the summer, not the winter, and the whole village would participate, not just two people. The author also has the family eating three meals; there were usually only two meals a day. Author Franco Meli teaches at an Italian University. Illustrator Giorgio Bacchin is also Italian. The book is illustrated with photos and drawings. The book was originally printed in Italy.
COMANCHE INDIANS
COMANCHE PEACE PIPE by Patrick Dearen and illustrated by Alan McCuller. (Republic of Texas Press, 2001, 1-55622-831-7, PB, 97p)
Grades 4-6 Eleven-year-old Fish Rawlings and his cousin Gid are traveling with a wagon train across what is now Texas. It is the time of the Comanche Moon when the Comanche travel south across Texas to Mexico. Eleven-year-old Hunting Bear is traveling his first war trail with his tribe. While hunting alone for food each for their group, Fish and Hunting Bear meet. In spite of the hatred between white and Indian that has been ingrained in them, Fish saves Hunting Bear’s life and the boys become friends. The Comanche raid the wagon train at night stealing livestock. They raid again in the light and Gid is captured. Fish and Hunting Bear work together for peace. Comanche customs of raiding, counting coup (touching an enemy) and prisoner treatment are woven into the story. Author Patrick Dearen has included a chapter on the history behind the story. Sketches by Alan McCuller open each chapter. Comanche Peace Pipe is part of the Lone Star Heroes series.
FIRE ON THE HILLSIDE by Melinda Rice and illustrated by Toni Thomas. (Republic of Texas Press, 2001, 1-55622-789-2, PB, 108 p).
Grades 4-6 Thirteen-year-old Katherine Haufmann has just moved to Texas from Germany. She wants to go back to Germany but the rest of her family is happy in Texas. About the time Father leaves with other men from the community to make a peace treaty with the local Comanche, nightly fires appear on the hillside outside of Fredericksburg. Katherine’s curiosity draws her to investigate the fires. In the process, Katherine faces danger, meets some Comanche and becomes a Texan rather than a German living in Texas. Author Melinda Rice includes a chapter on the history behind the story and an extensive list of sources. The book is well researched and many actual happenings are included in the fictional story. While not much of Comanche culture is included in the story, the book shows the interaction between the German settlers and the Comanche.
CREE INDIANS
THIS LAND IS MY LAND by George Littlechild. (Children’s Book Press, 1993, 0-89239-119-7, HB, $16.95, 32p).
Grades 5-8 This Land is My Land is a biography of George Littlechild. He is part Cree, part Micmac Indian and part European. He and his family suffered at the hands of Anglos. Mr. Littlechild’s pain and anger toward Anglos comes out in the text. While this is a picture book, some of the text would not be considered appropriate for younger children by some. Mr. Littlechild’s bright-colored artwork illustrates his text. Readers can get a feel for the injustices endured by Native Americans while reading This Land is My Land. The book has received both the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award and the National Parenting Publications Gold Award.
CROW INDIANS
CROW CHILDREN AND ELDERS TALK TOGETHER by E. Barrie Kavasch and illustrated by A. J. Group and John Bacolo. (Power Kids Press, 1999, 0-8239-5231-2, HB 24p).
Grades K-4 In Crow Children and Elders Talk Together author E. Barrie Kavasch uses tribal members to tell the story of the Crow tribe. Five-year-old Carina shows she is not much different from other kindergarteners, yet she tells of Crow celebrations and ceremonies. Her father Ken describes the clan system, major Crow customs and the future of the Crow people. Clara, chairperson of the tribe, talks about Crow land and religion. Dorothy, a great-grandmother, shows the importance of families. The full color photographs allow students to “visit” the places they are reading about.
SIOUX INDIANS
GRANDCHILDREN OF THE LAKOTA by LaVera Rose and illustrated by Cheryl Walsh Bellville. (Carolrhoda Books, Inc. 1-57505-279-2, HB, 48p).
Grades K-4 Author LaVera Rose is a Lakota Sioux. She has used her experience as a tribal member to write Grandchildren of the Lakota. Many things of Lakota life are included in the book: schooling, ceremonies, traditional beliefs, food. The mistreatment of Native Americans by the United States government is also mentioned in several places. If students want or need to learn more about the Lakota Sioux, this book would be a good resource. The author is an authority on her subject. The photographs by Cheryl Bellville are sharp and colorful and show Lakota in their everyday life.
LAKOTA SIOUX CHILDREN AND ELDERS TALK TOGETHER by E. Barrie Kavasch and illustrated by A. J. Group and John Bacolo. (Power Kids Press, 1999, 0-8239-5226-6, HB, 24p).
Grades K-4 Lakota Sioux Children and Elders Talk Together is part of The Rosen Publishing Group’s Library of Intergenerational Learning. The book tells the story of the Lakota Sioux in a way that students ages 7-9 will easily understand. The family groups, celebrations, land, ceremonies and traditions of the Lakota Sioux are covered. Author E. Barrie Kavasch uses a young Lakota Sioux girl and her grandparents to tell the story. The book is illustrated with full color photographs.
Classroom Connections
Alone in the Wilderness
- Plan an overnight stay in a wilderness area.
Across the Steel River
- Explore the role Native Americans played in World War II. Natives from many tribes played an important role in World War II.
- Have a classroom discussion on friendship in the face of difficult circumstances.
Comanche Peace Pipe
- Research wagon train life and write a short story or article that includes your findings.
Daily Life in a Plains Indian Village, 1868
- You could use the photographs in the book as a basis for creating dioramas of an Indian village.
NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS BY Andrew Haslam and Alexandra Parsons. (Two-Can Publishing, 1995, 0-590-93746-4 PB, 64p.)
North American Indians has detailed instructions for making a tepee that would be a great Classroom Connection to the Plains Indians and any of the books dealing with them.
Games of the Plains Indians
http://www.saskschoolsinfo.com/firstnations/games.html is a great web site for games and toys of the Plains Indians. I found this Cree ball game at this site.
Two or more players form a circle. A ball at least five inches in diameter is volleyed back and forth between players. When a player misses the ball, he is out. The winner is the last one who hasn’t missed the ball.
Internet Information on the Plains Indians
BLACKFEET INDIANS – www.blackfeetnation.com is the official site of the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Montana. This site contains many links to pages of the Blackfeet Nation: tribal government, history, tourism and others.
CHEYENNE INDIANS – http://www.cheyennelanguage.org/ is not an “official” site but it contains basic information on the Cheyenne language.
CREE INDIANS – http://www.bigorrin.org/cree_kids.htm is not an official site of the Cree Nation, but it does have some history and pictures which would be beneficial to student researchers.
SIOUX INDIANS – The South Dakota site has links to information about the different tribes which make their home in South Dakota, including the Sioux.
SIOUX INDIANS – www.cheynneriversioux.org is the official site of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. It contains basic information about the tribe; some of which would be helpful to students and teachers.
GENERAL – www.nativechild.com is a helpful site for teachers teaching about Native Americans.
GENERAL – www.nativetech.org/clothing/regions/regn10.html has sketches of Sioux, Crow and Blackfeet traditional dress.
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Books mentioned in this post
Across the Steel River
Blackfoot Children and Elders Talk Together (Native Americans)
The Buffalo Jump
Dawn Rider
Alone in the Wilderness: The Story of a Present Day Native American High School Student Who Is Challenged to Spend Three Month Alone in the Beartooth Wilderness Area of Montana
Captive Treasure
Daily Life in a Plains Indian Village 1868
A Cheyenne (Day With)
Comanche Peace Pipe (Lone Star Heroes) (Bk. 1)
Fire on the Hillside (Lone Star Heroinesãa Series for Young Adolescents)
This Land Is My Land
Crow Children and Elders Talk Together (Native Americans)
Grandchildren of the Lakota (The World’s Children)
Lakota Sioux Children and Elders Talk Together (Native Americans)
North American Indians (Make It Work! History Series)
