Native American Month

In honor of Native American Month I would like to highlight a variety of books written by or about Native Americans . Books for young readers describe only a few of the many Native Americans who were true leaders. Even fewer books describe contemporary Native artists, athletes, leaders and heroes.  It is time to introduce many more.

My first choice is to re-look at an amazing new picture book biography,

RED BIRD SINGS:   The Story of Zitkala-Sa,

Native American  Author, Musician, and Activist,    Adapted by Gina Capaldi & Q.L. Pearce, illustrations by Gina Capaldi, Carolrhoda Books, 2011.

Earlier this year I wrote:

Zitkala-Sa, little Red Bird, only eight years old, left the Yankton Sioux reservation in South Dakota, climbed aboard a roaring steam-engine train, to head East to the “Land of Red Apples,” Indiana.  She arrived at the boarding school for Native children where she was first handed a scrub brush.  Her long black hair was chopped off.  Her soft moccasins were exchanged for hard-soled shoes. This Red Bird did not quit, she learned to scour floors and then, finally, she entered a classroom for the first time .

Zitkala-Sa learned to read.

What a dangerous opportunity, the ability to read!  Zitkala  studied long hours not only to learn to read well but also to write with power.  Zitkala put pen to paper and wrote essays, articles and speeches asking for the recognition of the rights of Native Americans.

Imagine performing a violin performance while whole sections of audience wave a giant white banner screaming: SQUAW.  Imagine giving speeches to thousands asking for the rights of your people. Imagine meeting with the president of the United States to discuss treaties.  Zitkala-Sa’s story helps us imagine the fear and the choice to continue with courage.

As an adult Zitkala-Sa worked as an activist for Native American rights.  She sang, spoke and wrote to build bridges of tolerance between cultures.

Like Zitkala-Sa,  all children should have the right to read and to read books with true history.