In mid November, I worked on new images to share on screen outside the library. With Thanksgiving fast approaching, I thought it was a good time to focus on indigenous communities of the United States, or Turtle Island as it is known for some tribes. After all, November is also Native American Heritage Month.
Like other heritage months, teaching and learning about Native Americans shouldn't only be done during November, and no matter the time, we should always be intentional about who benefits from the stories we do tell and who is not being heard. But here we are, about to embark on a week away to recharge, give thanks, and potentially revisit long held traditions of first landings and shared meals. So it seemed a good time to share real truths about contemporary Native American communities. The facts I found focus on some of the many ways Native Americans are not only a part of our country's past, but also remain integral to our nation's survival.
All of these facts, come from one of three books held in the Upper School collection:
- Urban Tribes, by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Letherdale
- Nation to Nation, edited by Suzan Shown Harjo
- What the Eagle Sees, by Eldon Yellowhorn and Kathy Lowinger.
I encourage you to explore these books as well as many of the others we have waiting for you. You may also want to explore the Smithsonian's Native Knowledge 360 Educational Initiative or this Native Land Mapping site which reminds us that the Wopanaak and Naragansett tribes used to occupy the land on which our school now stands.