Indigenous Voices
This display is a celebration of the Indigenous Voices. In this display there are recommendations from an MSU Library Collection which feature 6 indignenous authors that were recommended by library workers. There are also some authentic items donated for the library to highlight and share a glimpse into a unique culture.
These 6 authors are just some of the many indigenous and diverse voices that the MSU Library has to offer. To view more books in our collection visit:bit.ly/BrowseIndigenousVoices
We would like to thank our own Mary Anne Hansen for sharing with the MSU community the beautiful star quilt, gifted to her by a Montana Tribal College Librarian.
Below are the recommendations made by our library coworkers:
THE SIOUX CHIEF’S INDIGENOUS KITCHEN – SEAN SHERMAN & BETH DOOLEY
The Sioux Chef’s Indigenous Kitchen by Sean Sherman and Beth Dooley is a vibrant cookbook
filled with recipes that present a balance of history, culture, and elegance. Within
its pages are woven the stories and histories of the indigenous people of the Dakota
and Minnesota territories. Chef Sherman masterfully pro-vides us with an understanding
of what indigenous food systems can look like within a modern culinary context. He
also highlights the importance of land stewardship, reclaiming traditional food systems
and restoring the connection between people, culture and the land. The recipes are
detailed and clear with ingredients that are foraged, locally sourced and seasonal.
Chef Sherman makes the concept of modern indigenous foods not only accessi-ble, but
also empowering and delicious!
-Connie Brownotter
SOUN TETOKEN: NEZ PERCE BOY TAMES A STALLION – KENNETH THOMASMA
Kenneth Thomasma is a professional storyteller and author living in Jackson Hole,
Wyoming who has written several books for younger readers about American Indians.
One of my favorite books by Thom-asma is “Soun Tetoken: Nez Perce Boy Tames a Stallion.”
I found this book to be an excellent work of historical fiction concerning Chief Jo-seph
and the Nez Perce tribe. I read it to my children several years ago and we all enjoyed
it although the ending is quite tragic … there was not a dry eye to be found in the
room when I finished reading the book to my children.
-Jim Espeland
THERE THERE – TOMMY ORANGE
There There by Tommy Orange is shattering and wondrous. It follows twelve characters
from Native communities on their way to the Big Oakland Powwow, all connected to one
another in ways they do not yet realize. This glorious chorus of voices tell the plight
of the urban Native American - grappling with a complex and painful history, and an
inheritance of spirituality and beauty. The characters and stories here are not the
stereotypes most non-Native Americans are familiar with. It isn't about reservations
or the old tales. It's about modern day struggles with identity, community, substance
abuse, and poverty. This book is utterly unforgettable. I 100% recommend this read!
-Jess Tempel
BRAIDING SWEETGRASS — ROBIN WALL KIMMERER
In Braiding Sweetgrass Robin Wall Kimmerer blends her knowledge of the natural world
from her Potawatomi heritage with her aca-demic scientific knowledge of environmental
biology. She blends the two ways of knowing the world through environmental study
with personal anecdotes and with stories about teaching both her students and her
children. With evocative prose that transports the reader to the bottom of a lake
or the top of a mountain, Kimmerer passionately approaches a theory of reciprocity;
that it is okay to take from the earth only as much as you give back, and this prac-tice,
done sincerely, can cultivate gratitude.
-Anthony Worman
SMOKE SIGNALS – CHRIS EYRE (DIRECTOR) AND SHERMAN ALEXIE (WRITER)
This 1998 film is directed by Chris Eyre and based on a short story and screenplay
by Sherman Alexie. It features not only a native cast, but native writing, direction
and production. It tells a timeless cross-generational coming-of-age story. As the
sto-ic Victor and the carefree Thomas take a road trip to retrieve Victor’s father’s
ashes, they learn to adapt to each other and understand their world of loss and inheritance.
Clocking in at 89 minutes, with a good sense of humor, you can check this DVD out
from the MSU Library.
-Recommended by Anthony Worman