November is Native American Heritage month and there are many ways you can celebrate this with your family. The month provides an opportunity for us to learn from Indigenous people about their contributions to our history, and for them to share their traditions, crafts and music. Here are some of ways to celebrate with your family this month.
Read books by Native authors
Centering the voices of Native authors and stories about Native people is critical to acknowledging and respecting them. Exposing our children to diverse perspectives is also an important part of this process. Some of our favorite books include:
- “I Sang You Down from the Stars,” by Tasha Spillet
- “We All Play,” by Julie Flett
- “When We Are Kind” by Monique Gray Smith
- “The Marrow Thieves” by Cherie Dimaline
- “Walking in Two Worlds” by Wab Kinew
- “Crazy Horse’s Girlfriend” by Erika T. Wurth
- “Man Made Monsters” by Andrea L. Rogers
Watch media featuring Indigenous people
“Spirit Rangers” is an animated kids’ series on Netflix, about three Native American siblings who can transform into animal heroes to protect their national park. It’s inspired by Native stories and features an Indigenous writer’s room.
“Reservation Dogs,” definitely for older teens due to mature content, follows the life of Indigenous teenagers and is an award-winning show due to its high quality and storytelling.
Ojibway Storytime, Sunday November 16th from 10:30-11am at AADL
The Ann Arbor District Library’s Traverwood branch is hosting a storytime for babies through preschoolers, led by Ariel Ojibway, with a special emphasis on Anishinaabeg stories. There will be opportunities to move your body, color and socialize.
RELATED: Why Families Love Visiting Ann Arbor – And Why It’s More Inclusive Than Ever
Visit a local bookstore
Show your child the magic of buying books in person from your favorite local bookstore! Ask a bookseller for their recommendations on books that feature Native voices. I’ve always had fantastic experiences with Literati’s booksellers giving me personalized suggestions based on my requests.
For the adults, check out AADL’s presentations, recommended films, and IndigiLit book club
The Ann Arbor District Library has a variety of presentations and opportunities for immersing yourself in Indigenous stories, from “The Sounds of Ojibwe with Asiginaak-Negamojig” to the film “The Condor and the Eagle” to the lecture, “And still we rise: from the American Indian movement to today: 1960-present.”
Attend the Gaa-Bigooshkaaning Round Dance
At this event there will be kids’ activities, giveaways, educational resources for Indigenous people, a photo booth and vendors. Doors open at 4:30pm, with the dance at 7pm. The traditional feast sounds delicious—it’ll include three sisters soup, bison stew, sweet potato salad, smoked fish, wild rice + berry pudding, cedar tea and more!
Discuss Native history with your child
Michigan is the homeland of the Ojibwe, the Odawa and Potawatomi, Anishinaabe peoples, who form the historic Council of Three Fires Alliance. Indigenous people were here for more than 10,000 years before Europeans came to settle.
Discuss Thanksgiving history
Many schools still do not fully delve into the nuance behind Thanksgiving history. Talk to your child about the aspects that seem important to you, perhaps the history and culture of Indigenous people, or delve more into the complex history behind the English settlers and the Wampanoag people.
