Beloved Child: A Dakota Way of Life -Diane Wilson 224 pgs

"Far greater even than the loss of land, or the relentless coercion to surrender cultural traditions, the deaths of over six hundred children by the spring of 1864 were an unbearable tragedy. Nearly one hundred and fifty years after the U.S.–Dakota War of 1862, Dakota people are still struggling with the effects of this unimaginable loss.”

Among the Dakota, the Beloved Child ceremony marked the special, tender affection that parents felt toward a child whose life had been threatened. In this moving book, author Diane Wilson explores the work of several modern Dakota people who are continuing to raise beloved children. Each of these humble, but powerful peopl,e teaches children to believe in the “genius and brilliance” of Dakota culture as a way of surviving historical trauma.

Crucial to true healing, Wilson has learned, is a willingness to begin with yourself. Each of these people works to transform the effects of genocide, restoring a way of life that regards our beloved children as wakan, sacred"

Her first book, Spirit Car, would be a good place to start prior to reading this one.

B&N.com

The Red Sash - by Jean E. Pendziwol 40 pgs

"A young Native American boy is at the heart of this adventure that takes place nearly 200 years ago. The story centers around the busy fur trading post of Fort William on Lake Superior-the major trading post linking the fur trade of northern and central Canada to the North West Company's main headquarters in Montreal. Voyageurs, easily identified by the red sash they wore, were the men who worked in the fur trade, traveling along the trade routes by canoe. The boy, who longs to be a voyageur like his father, describes his family's life and the role that Fort William played in the opening of the Canadian interior. Readers may also catch the Native name for Lake Superior, Gitchee Gumee. A brief history of Fort William and the North West Company is appended. The map on the inside cover provides geographic context and the beautiful gouache and mixed-media illustrations work well to support the text.  Pendziwol's engaging text combines with Debon's vivid and historically accurate illustrations to give an authentic picture of life at a fur trading post in the early 1800s."

-it would be a good idea to provide some background information about the Native people, voyageurs, fur trading and their relationships.  MN is rich with this history.

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Flying with the Eagle, Racing the Great Bear: Tales from Native North America -Joseph Bruchac

"In this continent-spanning collection of Native American coming-of-age tales, young men face great enemies, find the strength and endurance within themselves to succeed, and take their hard-earned place by the side of their elders.

Joseph Bruchac is the award-winning author of more than 120 books for children and adults"

*"The Dream Fast" tale is of Anishinabe (Ojibwe) heritage.

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MN Lang Arts standard 8.4.9.9  Analyze how this modern work of fiction draws on myths/traditional stories.

Life in an Anishinabe Camp -Nikki Walker 32 pgs

This book introduces children to the daily life, customs, and culture of the Anishinabe (Ojibwe) people of the western Great Lakes region.  A lot of good basic information for elementary students.

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Powwow - George Ancona 50pgs

"Feathers, beads, fringe, paint, bells, and shawls--these are the images that first bombard a spectator at a Native American powwow. But what does it all mean? Ancona provides an introduction to the modern powwow that explains everything. Focusing on the Crow Fair in Montana, he takes readers through the standard events that one can see at almost any powwow across the country. Anthony Standing Rock is shown playing with friends and then getting dressed in his traditional dance outfit. The festivities, beginning with the opening called the Grand Entry and on through the standard dances, are described and illustrated with well-placed, full-color photos that clearly reflect the text."

Amazon.com

Pushing up the Sky: Seven Native American Plays for Children - Joseph Bruchac 90 pgs

"From acclaimed Native American storyteller Joseph Bruchac comes a collection of seven lively plays for children to perform, each one adapted from a different traditional Native tale. Filled with heroes and tricksters, comedy and drama, these entertaining plays are a wonderful way to bring Native cultures to life for young people. Each play has multiple parts that can be adjusted to suit the size of a particular group and includes simple, informative suggestions for props, scenery, and costumes that children can help to create."
*"Sister Stars"  is an Ojibway play.

B&N.com

The Ojibwa: Wild Rice Gatherers - Therese DeAnglelis

"The America's First Peoples series brings young readers into the unique cultures of American Indian tribes and nations. This book discusses wild rice.  In time, wild rice became an important part of the Ojibwa way of life.

Discusses the Ojibwa Indians, focusing on their tradition of gathering wild rice. Includes a rice recipe and instructions for making a dream catcher."

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**not my favorite text about MN Native people and wild rice, but another resource, nontheless.  I found the photographs a bit blurry and the dream catcher info/activity in the back lacking.

North Star Numbers: A Minnesota Number Book - Kathy-jo Wargin 40 pgs

Using short poems, this book uses facts and Minnesota history in its counting-from Pipestone, to Red River oxcarts (invented by the Metis, or people of mixed heritage), bison, petroglyphs (images carved in rock), Fur Trading posts, and other non-Native topics.
**There is a mention of Fort Snelling, but it would be a good class discussion to further investigate the history of how Dakota people were imprisioned there after the 1862 U. S. Dakota War.

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A Native American Thought of It: Amazing Inventions and Innovations - Rocky Landan (with David MacDonald) 34 pgs

"Inventiveness and ingenuity from North America's First Nations.

Everyone knows that moccasins, canoes and toboggans were invented by the Aboriginal people of North America, but did you know that they also developed their own sign language, as well as syringe needles and a secret ingredient in soda pop?

Depending on where they lived, Aboriginal communities relied on their ingenuity to harness the resources available to them-

Other clever inventions and innovations include: diapers, asphalt, megaphones, hair conditioner, surgical knives, sunscreen along with many others."

The author is an Ojibwe band member.

B&N.com

American Indians: Answers to Today's Questions - Jack Utter 477 pgs

"Who is Indian? Who is a Native American? What are Indian self-determination and sovereignty? What defines an Indian tribe?  These and more than one hundred other questions are asked and answered in this text."

Amazon.com

*This is a text about the Native Americans in general.  Another good book for young adult readers is "ACLU: The Rights of American Indians and Their Tribes".  Both would be helpful in a secondary Social Studies class, too.