Three Essential New Reads to Honor This Year’s Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Recognizing the history, contributions, and path forward for the indigenous communities of North America requires all of us to look past the disassociated narratives that we’ve been presented in conventional history books. Instead, to honor the culture and people of Native America, we can look to diversity of narratives told by the people who have lived them and are living them today. 

If you have the day off this Indigenous Peoples’ Day, check out one of these three (or maybe all three) of these books to get your read on. 

1An American Sunrise by Joy Harjo 

Current U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo’s latest book of poetry An American Sunrise is as good a place to start in her work as any if you haven’t had a chance to become familiar with her writing yet. She’s our current Poet Laureate, so get with it and get yourself a copy! 

Born in Oklahoma, Harjo a member of the Muscogee Nation. In addition to being a poet, she is a painter and musician, aspects of creativity that make their way into her writing. While the work can read like tailor-made responses to the politics of today, Harjo’s work taps into a greater narrative of social justice, self-determination, and our relationship with nature. To get an idea of her poetic perspective, strongly rooted in oral tradition, check out her chat with Oprah on OWN’s Super Soul Sunday that aired earlier this month.

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