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A reading list to honor Indigenous Peoples Day

2 min
An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
Amazon Books editors worked with an Amazon employee affinity group to create a book list that celebrates the heritage of Indigenous peoples.

The recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day took root from an idea planted in 1977. At an International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, Indigenous peoples first proposed replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day—a holiday to honor and celebrate Indigenous peoples, histories, and cultures.

Twelve years later, South Dakota was the first U.S. state to switch, celebrating Native American Day instead of Columbus Day, with the first celebration taking place the following year. In 1992, activists in Berkeley, California, encouraged the Berkeley City Council to declare a "Day of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples" on October 12, in place of the previously celebrated Columbus Day.

Although Indigenous Peoples Day is not yet a federally recognized holiday, many U.S. states and cities recognize it each year, on the second Monday of October, in place of Columbus Day. Indigenous Peoples Day encourages Americans to rethink the country's history, and it recognizes Native peoples as the first inhabitants of the Americas.

"Native American people speak of the seven generations, where decisions and actions taken today must be considered for how they will impact the ones seven generations from now. To me, that's what these Indigenous authors represent," said Fawn Sanchez, a Shoshone-Bannock and Carizo-Comecrudo, president of Amazon’s Indigenous affinity group, and a senior human resources leader at Amazon Web Services. "Their experiences and beliefs come alive in a way that informs and educates others on our beautiful culture."

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, Amazon Books editors worked with the Indigenous@ affinity group—an Amazon employee community of people who identify as Indigenous and their allies—to identify books about the experiences and heritage of Native peoples. Whether you’re interested in historical fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, or young adult books—or something else entirely—the team has a recommendation for you.

“Books serve as an incredible tool to learn more about diverse cultures and experiences," said Sarah Gelman, editorial director at Amazon Books. "As we recognize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, the curated list of books will help readers learn more about Native American peoples, their histories, and cultures.”

PAGE OVERVIEW
Never Name the Dead
  • TABLE OF CONTENTS
    Never Name the Dead
  • Never Name the Dead
  • Sinister Graves (A Cash Blackbear Mystery Book 3)
  • Shutter
  • Night of the Living Rez
  • Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk
  • An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States
  • Apple (Skin to the Core)
  • Bad Indians
  • Black Elk Speaks: The Complete Edition
  • Black Sun
  • Blackening Song: An Ella Clah Novel
  • Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
  • Ceremony
  • Children of the Longhouse
  • Crooked Hallelujah
  • Empire of the Summer Moon
  • Heart Berries: A Memoir
  • Hearts Unbroken
  • House Made of Dawn
  • How I Became a Ghost: A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story
  • If I Ever Get Out of Here
  • In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
  • Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
  • Killing Crazy Horse: The Merciless Indian Wars in America (Bill O'Reilly's Killing Series)
  • National Geographic Kids Encyclopedia of American Indian History and Culture: Stories, Timelines, Maps, and More
  • Race to the Sun
  • The Blessing Way
  • The Blue Tattoo: The Life of Olive Oatman
  • The Cold Dish: A Longmire Mystery
  • The Earth Is Weeping: The Epic Story of the Indian Wars for the American West
  • The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present
  • The Other Slavery: The Uncovered Story of Indian Enslavement in America
  • The Pale-Faced Lie: A True Story
  • The Very First Americans
  • They Dance in the Sky: Native American Star Myths
  • We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
  • We Are Water Protectors
  • Wilma's Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller
  • Winter Counts: A Novel
Amazon Books editors worked with an Amazon employee affinity group to create a book list that celebrates the heritage of Indigenous peoples.

The recognition of Indigenous Peoples Day took root from an idea planted in 1977. At an International Conference on Discrimination Against Indigenous Populations in the Americas, Indigenous peoples first proposed replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day—a holiday to honor and celebrate Indigenous peoples, histories, and cultures.

Twelve years later, South Dakota was the first U.S. state to switch, celebrating Native American Day instead of Columbus Day, with the first celebration taking place the following year. In 1992, activists in Berkeley, California, encouraged the Berkeley City Council to declare a "Day of Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples" on October 12, in place of the previously celebrated Columbus Day.

Although Indigenous Peoples Day is not yet a federally recognized holiday, many U.S. states and cities recognize it each year, on the second Monday of October, in place of Columbus Day. Indigenous Peoples Day encourages Americans to rethink the country's history, and it recognizes Native peoples as the first inhabitants of the Americas.

"Native American people speak of the seven generations, where decisions and actions taken today must be considered for how they will impact the ones seven generations from now. To me, that's what these Indigenous authors represent," said Fawn Sanchez, a Shoshone-Bannock and Carizo-Comecrudo, president of Amazon’s Indigenous affinity group, and a senior human resources leader at Amazon Web Services. "Their experiences and beliefs come alive in a way that informs and educates others on our beautiful culture."

In honor of Indigenous Peoples Day, Amazon Books editors worked with the Indigenous@ affinity group—an Amazon employee community of people who identify as Indigenous and their allies—to identify books about the experiences and heritage of Native peoples. Whether you’re interested in historical fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, or young adult books—or something else entirely—the team has a recommendation for you.

“Books serve as an incredible tool to learn more about diverse cultures and experiences," said Sarah Gelman, editorial director at Amazon Books. "As we recognize and celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day, the curated list of books will help readers learn more about Native American peoples, their histories, and cultures.”

  • 1
    Never Name the Dead

    By: D. M. Rowell

    LEARN MORE

    Never Name the Dead book cover.
  • 2
    Sinister Graves (A Cash Blackbear Mystery Book 3)

    By: Marcie R. Rendon

    LEARN MORE

    Sinister Graves book cover.
  • 3
    Shutter

    By: Ramona Emerson

    LEARN MORE

    Shutter book cover
  • 4
    Night of the Living Rez

    By: Morgan Talty

    LEARN MORE

    Night of the Living Rez book cover.
  • 5
    Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk

    By: Sasha LaPointe

    LEARN MORE

    Red Paint book cover
  • 6
    An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States

    By: Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 7
    Apple (Skin to the Core)

    By: Eric Gransworth

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 8
    Bad Indians

    By: Deborah Miranda

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 9
    Black Elk Speaks: The Complete Edition

    By: John G. Neihardt

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 10
    Black Sun

    By: Rebecca Roanhorse

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 11
    Blackening Song: An Ella Clah Novel

    By: Aimee Thurlo

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 12
    Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants

    By: Robin Wall Kimmerer

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 13
    Ceremony

    By: Leslie Marmon Silko

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 14
    Children of the Longhouse

    By: Joseph Bruchac

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 15
    Crooked Hallelujah

    By: Kelli Jo Ford

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 16
    Empire of the Summer Moon

    By: S.C. Gwynne

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 17
    Heart Berries: A Memoir

    By: Terese Marie Mailhot

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 18
    Hearts Unbroken

    By: Cynthia Leitich Smith

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 19
    House Made of Dawn

    By: N. Scott Momaday

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 20
    How I Became a Ghost: A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story

    By Tim Tingle

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 21
    If I Ever Get Out of Here

    By Eric Gansworth

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 22
    In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse

    By: Joseph Marshall

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 23
    Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI

    By: David Grann

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 24
    Killing Crazy Horse: The Merciless Indian Wars in America (Bill O'Reilly's Killing Series)

    By Bill O'Reilly

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 25
    National Geographic Kids Encyclopedia of American Indian History and Culture: Stories, Timelines, Maps, and More

    By: Cynthia O'Brien

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 26
    Race to the Sun

    By Rebecca Roanhorse

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 27
    The Blessing Way

    By: Tony Hillerman

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 28
    The Blue Tattoo: The Life of Olive Oatman

    By: Margot Mifflin

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 29
    The Cold Dish: A Longmire Mystery

    By: Craig Johnson

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 30
    The Earth Is Weeping: The Epic Story of the Indian Wars for the American West

    By: Peter Cozzens

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 31
    The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present

    By: David Treuer

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 32
    The Other Slavery: The Uncovered Story of Indian Enslavement in America

    By: Andrés Reséndez

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 33
    The Pale-Faced Lie: A True Story

    By: David Crow

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 34
    The Very First Americans

    By Cara Ashrose

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 35
    They Dance in the Sky: Native American Star Myths

    By: Jean Guard Monroe and Roy. A. Williamson

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 36
    We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

    By: Traci Sorell

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 37
    We Are Water Protectors

    By: Carole Lindstrom

    CONTINUE READING

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 38
    Wilma's Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller

    By: Doreen Rappaport

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • 39
    Winter Counts: A Novel

    By: David Heska Wanbli

    LEARN MORE

    An image showing book covers for the recommended reading list for Indigenous Peoples' Day.
  • PAGE OVERVIEW
  • 1
    Never Name the Dead
  • 2
    Sinister Graves (A Cash Blackbear Mystery Book 3)
  • 3
    Shutter
  • 4
    Night of the Living Rez
  • 5
    Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk
  • 6
    An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States
  • 7
    Apple (Skin to the Core)
  • 8
    Bad Indians
  • 9
    Black Elk Speaks: The Complete Edition
  • 10
    Black Sun
  • 11
    Blackening Song: An Ella Clah Novel
  • 12
    Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants
  • 13
    Ceremony
  • 14
    Children of the Longhouse
  • 15
    Crooked Hallelujah
  • 16
    Empire of the Summer Moon
  • 17
    Heart Berries: A Memoir
  • 18
    Hearts Unbroken
  • 19
    House Made of Dawn
  • 20
    How I Became a Ghost: A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story
  • 21
    If I Ever Get Out of Here
  • 22
    In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse
  • 23
    Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI
  • 24
    Killing Crazy Horse: The Merciless Indian Wars in America (Bill O'Reilly's Killing Series)
  • 25
    National Geographic Kids Encyclopedia of American Indian History and Culture: Stories, Timelines, Maps, and More
  • 26
    Race to the Sun
  • 27
    The Blessing Way
  • 28
    The Blue Tattoo: The Life of Olive Oatman
  • 29
    The Cold Dish: A Longmire Mystery
  • 30
    The Earth Is Weeping: The Epic Story of the Indian Wars for the American West
  • 31
    The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present
  • 32
    The Other Slavery: The Uncovered Story of Indian Enslavement in America
  • 33
    The Pale-Faced Lie: A True Story
  • 34
    The Very First Americans
  • 35
    They Dance in the Sky: Native American Star Myths
  • 36
    We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
  • 37
    We Are Water Protectors
  • 38
    Wilma's Way Home: The Life of Wilma Mankiller
  • 39
    Winter Counts: A Novel
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