November was Native American Heritage Month, but any month is always a good time to recognize and celebrate the multifaceted cultures within our country.
My interest in Native American culture began in elementary school. I followed along as we read aloud a Hiawatha folktale, “The Boy Who Became a Robin,” a coming-of-age story about a boy and his father, who wishes for his only son to become a great warrior. Up until then, all the stories I had read were predictable. This one was not, and that was what made it so impactful.
Growing up, I wish I had known sooner that there were experiences like these available on the page. Because in my small world of reading, it seemed to me like most stories were familiar. On the other hand, there are so many Native American folktales from different tribes, each with their own stories and variations. Not one story feels the same, nor is told the same.
Credit: Live Oak Public Libraries
Credit: Live Oak Public Libraries
As I began reading more Native American folktales, it was no wonder that I devoured them. The unique lessons were not the only things which kept my interest in Indigenous stories. I also knew the trees they told about, the rivers, the animals, and the landscape. I felt like I could identify with the world I was reading about because it was like looking out into my backyard.
One of my favorite books I would suggest is “Trickster” by Matt Dembicki. It is a graphic novel consisting of a wide range of collected works from different tribes. Each story is about a trickster legend and the presentation of each tribe’s version is as varied and beautiful as each illustrated panel. This award-winning book is a great introduction to Indigenous folklore.
Contemporary tales are excellent reads, as well. “Fry Bread” by Kevin Noble Maillard is a lively and whimsically illustrated children’s book written in verse. It depicts a modern Native American family and their friends making traditional fry bread, lyrically explaining how culture, history, and customs — both old and new — can be carried on through food and family.
Credit: Live Oak Public Libraries
Credit: Live Oak Public Libraries
Richard Van Camp’s “A Man Called Raven,” blends the contemporary with the traditional. Reworking the tales heard from his elders in the Dogrib tribe, he masterfully shows what makes a folktale sacred: the timelessness of its message. No matter the adaption or reworked format of the story, the message within it is still as prevalent today as it was then.
Resources and works by Native American authors are available at anyone’s fingertips. If you want to start exploring the world of Native American stories, folktales are a great starting point. They have lessons, beliefs, glimpses into the past, and shine light on the present.
Ruthie Horning is a library assistant at Midway-Riceboro Library for Live Oak Public Libraries. Visit your local library or connect with us online at liveoakpl.org, @liveoakpl, and communications@liveoakpl.org.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Get real about Native American tribal stories with these books from your local library
