The Whole Family Should Read These Books for Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Around 30 years ago, several cities and localities across the United States began celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day on the second Monday in October in replacement of the traditional (and extremely controversial) Columbus Day. It's a positive, welcome change given the absolutely horrific history of Christopher Columbus, which includes enslavement of indigenous people, the violent rape of women, and seizure of land.

Indigenous people and specifically, Indigenous authors and activists, are working to fix the historical record with essays, art, and books that teach about Indigenous people’s history. Given the fact that Christopher Columbus never actually landed in the United States and much of his lauded “history” was a work of fiction, books about Indigenous Peoples' Day are an essential tool for educating both ourselves and our children.

All of the books on this list are written by people Indigenous to North America, and there's something for everyone in the family on this list. Because while we can't change history, we can certainly learn from it.