In honor of Thanksgiving this month in the U.S., I want to celebrate Indigenous culture. Specifically, I would like to read and recommend book written by Indigenous authors about Indigenous culture (#ownvoicesliterature). I also will be donating to Indigenous causes, and would encourage you to do the same!

Books I’ve Read

• Fire Song by Adam Garnet Jones, which I reviewed on Goodreads here.
• The Break by Katherena Vermette (translated by Mélissa Verreault), which I reviewed here.

To Be Read

• Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson (suggested to me by Carolyn on Bookstagram)
• LaRose by Louise Edrich
• The Round House by Louise Edrich (the Words Between Worlds book club November selection)
• Seven Fallen Feathers: Racism, Death, and Hard Truths in a Northern City by Tanya Talaga (Which is the Diverse Books Club‘s November selection)
• There, There by Tommy Orange (which I’ve seen ALL over bookstagram)
• Hearts Unbroken by Cynthia Leitich Smith
• The Birchbark House by Louise Edrich (Another Diverse Books Club November selection)
• #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale
• I Am Not a Number by Jenny Kay Dupuis, Kathy Kacer, and Gillian Newland

Giving Back

I plan to give back to Indigenous organizations this month, particularly for #giving Tuesday which I found out about through a Powwow article from last year that can be found here. Giving Tuesday is the Tuesday after the U.S. Thanksgiving.

If I can find an organization to donate my time to I would like to do that as well but I haven’t been able to yet. Some places I will be donating to are:

• The Native American Rights Fund. I personally like to donate to legal organizations because I see what an impact laws can have. From the website: “Since 1971, the Native American Rights Fund (NARF) has provided legal assistance to Indian tribes, organizations, and individuals nationwide who might otherwise have gone without adequate representation.”
• The Native American Cultural Center, Inc. which provides cultural classes, social events, and education and training for the Native American community in Rochester, NY (not far from me).
• Lastly, I will also be donating to The American Indian College Fund which provides scholarships to American Indians to attend college.

I would really love some suggestions of more #ownvoices Indigenous reads!