Want to Learn Something About Native American History, start with these books
Some of the best reads in Native American History
Many years ago, I mean we are talking in the 90'’s, I started a project to read a book by or about a previous president or election year. A couple years ago I decided to do the same thing with Native American history, but instead of reading on book every four years I read at least one book every November for Native American History Month.
My understanding of Native American History is still very basic. I am not a scholar. I am just a guy in the Pacific Northwest who read a few books on Native American History and wants to share what these books were in the hope that others would find these book at the library or a local bookstore.
I will supply links to an online retailer but it is not meant to funnel you there. You can, as I did, find all these books at your local library with ease.
Empire of the Summer Moon
This was the first book I read in my journey for understanding of Native American History. It is about the Commanche and their conflicts with white settlers into their territory. Broad in scope as it covers more than just the Commanche. It really is a good first read. Here I heard about the Sand Creek Massacre of Cheyenne and Arapaho Native Americans.
The book starts with the interaction of Commanche and the Spanish then the French and finally with Americans during their westward movement. It also covers their interaction with other Native American groups. There is just so much to learn. I never knew within a tribe there were basically sub-tribes as well.
Indeh
A thoroughly researched graphic novel written by Ethan Hawke. Yes the actor Ethan Hawke. Covers the Apache wars and specifically covers the 1872. And the life of Goyakhla who later became known as Geronimo as he grows from a mere youth into adulthood. A rare look at two nations at war.
Mesa of Sorrows
Covers the Hopi Native American group located at the Awat’ovi town on the easternmost edge of the Antelope Mesa. Using oral traditions and archeological evidence the author uncovers why this village was destroyed from within in the early years of the 18th Century. Exact dates are hard to come by.
What had been going on there? The Spanish when they arrived started to convert the local Native Americans to Catholicism. This brought conflict within the village which eventually boiled over.
Braiding Sweetgrass
A book on weaving and Native American traditions. My older sister likes to braid baskets and that is what brought me to this book. I love this book. There are many techniques for braiding bark, or grass.
But is not just about braiding for a basket. The author Robin Wall Kimmerer also shows how all things in nature have lessons to teach us. Love this book.
Encounters at the Heart of the World
This covers the Mandan Native American groups life on the great plains of North America. The Mandan lived mostly sedentary lives meaning they lived in set villages and worked with the land. They were not mobile or wanderers of the plains. They created farms, and fished and collected local nuts and so forth for food.
Because they were villagers the Mandan were also highly susceptible to small pox. I did not know this but there were many waves a small pox throughout the 18th century that plagued Native American groups. Major small pox outbreaks happened all the way up to the middle of the 19th century on the American plains. Small pox nearly wiped out the Mandan tribe.
The Fourth World of the Hopi
Hopi spirituality and myths. There is a creation of heaven and hell myth here. There are many mythic stories explaining many aspects of Hopi village life and existence. There is also a story of judgement in the afterlife.
The Lost World of the Old Ones
Extensive and nearly exhaustive understanding of one group in Native American history. History of what some call the Anasazi. This is a well known term but also a controversial one. It is Navajo for ancient enemy. So it is a slur. Some suggest using Hisatsinom a Hopi word instead, but that has some controversy or questions too. I won’t solve this here.
What the culture of the Ancient Puebloans created is impressive by any standard. They knew the solstice and could track the path of the moon through the night sky during its 18 year trek back and forth, called the lunsr standstill.
Buffalo Bird Woman’s Garden
In Buffalo Bird Woman’s Garden, first published in 1917, anthropologist Gilbert L. Wilson transcribed the words of this remarkable woman, whose advice today’s gardeners can still follow. She describes a year of activities, from preparing and planting the fields through cultivating, harvesting, and storing foods. She also gives recipe for cooking typical Hidatsa dishes. Good book if you enjoy gardening.
Thank you for reading.
Again I provide links to an online retailer only for your reference. These are not affiliate links.
