Greetings! I am writing this from my hometown church, drinking a Dunkin iced matcha and having slept in my own bed once again last night. Saying I am at peace is an understatement.
Given the upcoming holiday season and particularly Thanksgiving being widely observed this week, I wanted to take a step back and share some of the avenues we can all course to celebrate and mourn Native lives of past, present and future. Some of these recommendations are my own, some are highly acclaimed from others I trust, but all are ways to refocus and redirect your funds, time and attention to the exemplary work of these individuals. Let’s jump in!
To Read
The International Indigenous Youth Council Los Angeles compiled a list of Indigenous literature for Native American Heritage Month, one that is highly exciting to me. Here’s the link to check it all out, but these titles in particular are catching my eye.
The Beadworkers Stories by Beth Piatote
Cheyenne Madonna by Eddie Chuculate
Who’s Afraid Of Black Indians? by Shonda Buchanan
How We Became Human by Joy Harjo
Crow-Blue, Crow-Black by Chip Livingstone
The AILA American Indian Youth Literature Awards shortlist for 2021 has not been released as of yet (last I checked!) but past winners are a great place to start in regards to literature for youth and children in your life. As holiday gift-giving season is basically upon us, I have a mind to order one of these for my little brother.
The winners of the 2021 Indigenous Voices Awards hosted by Book Riot have long since been acclaimed and enjoyed, but I haven’t had the time to work my way through this list since it was announced this summer. Check it out, here are some titles I’m looking for first:
If I Go Missing by Brianna Jonnie with Nahanni Shingoose and Neal Shannacappo
It Was Never Going To Be Okay by Jaye Simpson
To Watch
The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open (2019)
Shimasani (2009)
Mosquita y Mari (2012)
Trudell (2005)
Merata: How Mum Decolonized the Screen (2018)
Parallel Minds (2020)
Before Tomorrow (2008)
To Shop
MELANCHOLYNOW - Jewelry and Beadwork
Sakari Botanicals - Food, Skin and Body Care Products, Medicinal Alternatives
Cheekbone Beauty - Cosmetics
Prados Beauty - Cosmetics
Sequoia Soaps - Bath Care
4KINSHIP - Clothing, Beauty, Home Deco and more
Urban Native Era - Clothing
OXDX - Clothing
Starting with some of the options above, I’m anticipatory of working on meaningful ways to fill my free time, a practice that’s scarce or difficult for many of us. It’s a time of rest for some and worry for others, and I’m somewhere in between with finals season and the end of the year steadily approaching. We’ll make it and we’ll be fine, because we’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again. One day or hour or moment at a time. I love you, and I’ll see you next week!