This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, Read Books by Indigenous Writers
To honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day, here are five titles by Native authors that explore the resilience and legacies of their people.
On Oct. 13, we’re proud to honor Indigenous Peoples’ Day, an initiative to champion the diverse cultures, histories and stories of Indigenous communities. Holding space for the painful history of injustices inflicted upon Native populations, Indigenous Peoples’ Day is also a recognition of resilience, of ancestral legacies and of the ongoing fight for self-determination. It’s an especially poignant time for our Kānaka ‘Ōiwi community here in Hawai‘i who continue to protect and perpetuate Native Hawaiian culture, language, traditions, land and species.
In recognition of Indigenous People’s Day, our booksellers at Da Shop: Books + Curiosities have curated a list of titles by Native authors spanning genres, ages and interests. Today and every day, we invite you to read Indigenous stories and to join us in celebrating Indigenous voices.
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This Is Paradise
by Kristiana Kahakauwila
Kanaka ‘Ōiwi author Kristiana Kahakauwila’s phenomenal collection is one we will always recommend. In six remarkable stories, Kahakauwila renders contemporary Hawai‘i with precision, honesty and deep compassion. From the winding road to Hāna to a remote Hawai‘i Island ranch to the shores of Waikīkī, the places in these stories are filled with locals and visitors, Kānaka and paniolo, all of whom come together to paint an indelible portrait of Hawai‘i today. And for younger readers, don’t miss out on Kahakauwila’s spectacular YA debut, Clairboyance!
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Whiskey Tender
by Deborah Jackson Taffa
This National Book Award Finalist by a mixed tribe Native writer with personal Hawai‘i ties has a special place on the shelves of Da Shop. The powerful memoir of family and survival details Taffa’s coming of age on and off the reservation while ruminating on tribal identity, governmental assimilation policies and the cultural narratives of her ancestors. Taffa’s story is at once propulsive and painful, yet never sacrifices humor or heart to share this vital part of Native history. Stop by Da Shop for a signed copy of Taffa’s memoir.
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Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior
by Carole Lindstrom
Breathtaking in both its visuals as well as its story, Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior is a children’s picture book by Anishinaabe/Métis writer Carole Lindstrom that honors the real lives of two groundbreaking water warriors. A companion to the award-winning We Are Water Protectors, this book celebrates the work of Indigenous Rights Activists Autumn Peltier and her great-aunt Josephine Mandamin, two women who blazed a path of courage to advocate for clean water across Indigenous communities.
SEE ALSO: Champion Conservation with These Essential Titles
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Firekeeper’s Daughter
by Angeline Boulley
An instant #1 New York Times Bestseller, Firekeeper’s Daughter is a debut YA thriller by Angeline Boulley that centers Native teen voices. Narrated by the unforgettable Daunis Fontaine, Firekeeper’s Daughter follows the eighteen-year-old as she goes undercover to solve a murder. Equipped with her knowledge of Ojibwe traditional medicine, Daunis must protect her community while learning what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) in the face of corruption and personal risk.
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Medicine River: A Story of Survival and the Legacy of Indian Boarding Schools
by Mary Annette Pember
Medicine River is an incisively reported and deeply personal account of Native American boarding schools in the United States. Penned by Ojibwe journalist Mary Annette Pember, whose own mother was sent to a boarding school at age 5, the book explores the extensive trauma of acculturation, religion and abuse inflicted by the US government in their attempt to pull apart Native families. Medicine River is a necessary examination of this legacy of abuse as well as a recognition of the resilience and continued rebirth of Native cultures and nations.
Da Shop: Books + Curiosities, 3565 Harding Ave., Kaimukī, open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., (808) 421-9460, dashophnl.com, @dashophnl
