The Dance Boots - by Linda LeGarde Grover 172 pages

"Linda LeGarde Grover portrays an Ojibwe community struggling to follow traditional ways of life in the face of a relentlessly changing world.  In the title story an aunt recounts the harsh legacy of Indian boarding schools that tried to break the indigenous culture. In doing so she passes on to her niece the Ojibwe tradition of honoring elders through their stories.  With its attention to the Ojibwe language, customs, and history, this unique collection of riveting stories illuminates the very nature of storytelling."

B&N.com

A Boy Called Slow - Joseph Bruchac 32 pgs

"As a young Lakota Sioux boy, Slow was given his childhood name because he was deliberate and thoughtful in most of what he undertook.  Slow yearns for the special vision or manly deed that will inspire his permanent, adult name. Encouraged by splendid stories of his father's bravery, wisdom and leadership, Slow focuses his energy on becoming a warrior. Friends gradually begin to associate his name with careful deliberation.  From then on, his courage and determination were recognized and he became known as Sitting Bull, a Native American Chief whose name and deeds are well known.  Bruchac s sensitively told history of Sitting Bull's coming-of-age reassures young chldren that success comes through effort, not birth."

B&N.com

We Are at Home: Pictures of the Ojibwe People -Bruce White 245 pgs

"In this collection of more than 200 stunning and storied photographs, ranging from daguerreotypes to studio portraits to snapshots, historian Bruce White explores historical images taken of Ojibwe people through 1950. From the mid-19th to the mid-20th century, photographers, most of them white, took thousands of pictures of the Ojibwe people of northern Minnesota. Anthropologist White's book reproduces hundreds of these photographs and describes the circumstances under which they were taken and the background and approach of the photographers. White people, he argues, while not ill-intentioned, photographed the Ojibwe in a way that reinforced the photographer's cultural view of Indians as exotic others, while Ojibwe photographing their own people provided a more accurate cultural context."
B&N.com

Native Musicians in the Groove- Vincent Schilling 115 pgs

"The music of these talented artists transcends borders and cultures to speak directly to the hearts and minds of listeners. But it was not always easy for them to reach their goals.  From the melodic notes of a classical guitar or the wailing of an electric guitar to country tunes and punk rock, these musicians deliver. They offer a wide selection of musical styles as diverse as the music industry itself. Read about the lives of these outstanding performers who represent the fresh new sounds from Native America today."
Remember: lyrics are nothing but poetry set to music-these Native artist are poets along with being musicians!

**ch 3: Crystal Shawnda (Ojibwe) country music singer

**ch 8: Mato Nanji (Nakota Sioux) guitarist-lead singer of band Indigenous

B&N.com

MN Lang stardard 6.4.6.6   Show how teh author develops the point of view of these artists as they share their life stories.

Native Women of Courage - Kelly Fournel 84 pgs

"This book profiles ten outstanding women leaders in the Native community. All of these successful, trailblazing women are stellar role models who have raised the profile of indigenous culture in North America. From heroines of the past to women making history today, this work of non-fiction reminds readers of the extraordinary contributions of Native American women to our daily lives and to our country's social fabric."
**Chapter 9 features White Earth (MN) Winona LaDuke (Anishinaabeg) - Author, environmentalist, vice-presidential candidate**

-B&N.com

Grandmother's Dreamcatcher -Becky Ray McCain 32 pgs

"While Kimmy's parents look for a house close to Daddy's job, Kimmy stays with her Chippewa grandmother. The bad dreams she has had still bother her. Grandmother knows just what to do; she and Kimmy craft a dreamcatcher of bent wood, sinew, feathers, and beads, while Grandmother tells Kimmy the legend of the first about dreamcatchers which allows the sleeper to have only sweet dreams."

B&N.com

Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story-retold by Robert D. San Souci 32 pgs

A retelling of Cinderella from an Ojibwe tale.  "Older sisters made their youngest sister do all the work. When the flames from the cooking fire singed her hair or burned her skin, they laughed and called her Sootface.
While she worked, Sootface dreamed that one day she would find a husband. Then a mighty warrior with the power to make himself invisible decides to marry. Only a woman with a kind and honest heart could see him, and be his bride.  Her courage and good nature bring her the husband she has longed for. "

                                                           B&N.com

*possible uses: Standard 2.1.9.9 (compare and contrast 2 or more versions of a story including a text by or about a MN Native American.  This is a Native retelling of Cinderella.  Choose another version and use Sootface to compare/contrast characters, setting, plot, conflict, etc).

Jingle Dancer -by Cynthia Leitich Smith 32 pgs

"Jenna, a contemporary Muscogee (Creek) girl in Oklahoma, wants to honor a family tradition by jingle dancing at the next powwow. But where will she find enough jingles for her dress?  Jenna dreams of having a dress with jingles for the upcoming powwow, but as her grandmother notes, there aren't any extras and there isn't enough time to make them. Jenna is undeterred; she only needs four rows of jingles to make the proper sound. She visits family and friends and finally gets enough jingles to complete her regalia for the dance."  *Contemporary native character*
B&N.com

*although this isn't set in MN it does center around the jingle dress which, according to tradition, originated from Minnesota (click here for info)

Author created teaching guide (click here!)

Shannon: An Ojibway Dancer-by Sandra King 48 pgs

"A twelve-year-old Ojibwa Indian living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, learns about her tribe's traditional costumes from her grandmother and gets ready to dance at a powwow"
B&N.com

*Although this book is almost 20 years old (with outdated information: ie -schools and stores which no longer exist) it is a good resource for students to understand the preparation before powwow dancing*

The Soul of an Indian and other writings from Ohiyesa - edited by Kent Nerburn 96 pgs

"Ohiyesa, a Dakota Indian also known as Charles Alexander Eastman, is one of America’s most fascinating and overlooked individuals. Born in Minnesota in 1858, he obtained postgraduate degrees (attending Dartmouth College and medical school at Boston University), and advised U.S. presidents. This beautifully packaged reissue contains Ohiyesa’s insights on spirit, the human experience, and white culture’s impact on Native American culture."
B&N.com

*This book contains excerpts of Ohiyesa's (Charles Alexander Eastman) several books.  Could work for older elementary students as well.  This is a wonderful and thought provoking book by a Native person. Be sure to read about his accomplishments outside of being a writer!