Literature is often a portal into an individual’s experiences and functions as a reflection of the very society that molded them. Native American literature commonly focuses on themes of genocide, cultural assimilation, identity, and more, which offer rich stories and insights into Native American history. As we observe National Native American Heritage Month this November, here are four Indigenous authors whose work you can read to celebrate the month and learn more about Native American history.
- . Natalie Diaz
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Recognized for winning the 2021 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry for her collection, “Postcolonial Love Poem,” Diaz’s poetry is sure to leave a lasting impression on you. Alongside her work as an Associate Professor at Arizona State University, Diaz serves as the founding director of the Center for Imagination in the Borderlands and previously co-curated the Words for Water exhibit at the Whitney Museum of American Art. Her work is widely acclaimed; some of her honors include the Narrative Prize for Poetry, the MacArthur Foundation Fellowship, and a Pushcart Prize. The first work I read by her was “They Don’t Love You Like I Love You,” and I think it’s a pretty good place to start.
@ndinn via Instagram - . Chrystos
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The first poem I read by Chrystos was “I Walk in the History of My People,” and it absolutely floored me. This piece stuck with me long after I read it, along with the discovery of an amazing poet. Two-spirit, Menominee, and a Native land and treaty rights activist, Chrystos has authored innumerable collections of poetry and has work featured in many anthologies as well. Her work has also garnered several awards, like the Sappho Award of Distinction, the Audre Lorde International Poetry Award, and the Human Rights Freedom of Expression Award. If you were also blown away by “I Walk in the History of My People,” another favorite of mine is “Sometimes I Feel Like All Indians.”
- . Louise Erdrich
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If you haven’t read a book by Erdrich yet, you’re missing out! I recommend checking out one of her books from the UCF Libraries. Erdrich’s prose is rich, full of beautiful, haunting, and lasting stories about alcoholism, tradition, intercultural conflict, and much more. She has authored over 25 novels and accumulated numerous awards for her writing, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, the National Book Award for Fiction, and the American Book Award. In other words, her novels are definitely worth adding to your TBR (To Be Read). She has also written and published three collections of poetry; I’m partial to her poem titled “Fooling God,” but you can, of course, explore more of her work online as well.
@poetryisnotaluxury via Instagram - Joy Harjo
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This list wouldn’t be complete without Joy Harjo! Harjo is one of America’s most celebrated and renowned Native American writers and musicians, best known for serving as the 23rd United States Poet Laureate (the first Native American with the title). She is wildly successful, having published two memoirs, seven music albums, and eleven books of poetry. A member of the Muscogee/Creek Nation from Tulsa, Oklahoma, Harjo has won several awards for her work, like the Oklahoma Book Arts Award, the 2013 PEN Center USA Literary Award for Creative Nonfiction, and the 2024 Frost Medal. My favorite poems by Harjo include “Praise the Rain” and “Eagle Poem,” but you can explore her poetry and prose directly through the Poetry Foundation’s website as well!
When I was in elementary, middle, and high school, my classes did not include literature from any of these Indigenous writers. The implications of such are more severe than what meets the eye, as their stories are more than just a good read. They subvert mainstream narratives fed to us in history textbooks, offer rich perspectives and insights, and validate the shared experiences of millions of Native Americans. I encourage you to read some of these authors’ works in honor of Native American Heritage Month and the following months. Who knows what you could learn?