November is Native American Heritage Month: a time when we honor the contributions made by Native American people. So many contributions have been made by Native people in the fields of the arts and sciences, through literature, music, and film. From the earliest Tribal stories to the more contemporary novels and screenplays, Native voices offer a unique take on the spirit of what it is to survive colonialism and to thrive in a modern world. I've lived on five different reservations throughout my adult years, having worked for several different tribes in their legal departments and cultural development offices. The level of dedication, creativity, and resilience is palpable. And many of the younger generations are able to maneuver well through multiple cultural lenses: being thoroughly modern but also embracing language, traditions, and cultural values.
One of the best ways to get a sense of this is through the written word. Several novels have been published lately by contemporary Native writers, and I highly recommend checking them out. The contemporary writers have moved beyond retelling tribal stories, and launched into Horror, SciFi/Fantasy, modern Fiction, and Thrillers. Broaden your horizons with these newest writings!
2026 Native Writers Booklist:
Passing Through A Prairie Country
Looking for some more selections by Native Writers? Check out my blogs from previous years!
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