Cultural Resources

While furthering the professional growth and development of our chapter members, we also celebrate Indigenous culture and media. We support Indigenous artists, musicians, authors, and businesses and encourage anyone and everyone to explore some of our compiled favorites.

Centuries worth of culture and tradition make for amazing reading material, provided the right author is the one telling the story. These are some favorite books, ranging in genre and time period to capture parts of Indigenous existence that many don't stop to think about. Summaries courtesy of Barnes and Noble.

Men We Reaped: A Memoir, by Jesmyn Ward

"In five years, Jesmyn Ward lost five young men in her life—to drugs, accidents, suicide, and the bad luck that can follow people who live in poverty, particularly black men. Dealing with these losses, one after another, made Jesmyn ask the question: Why? And as she began to write about the experience of living through all the dying, she realized the truth—and it took her breath away. Her brother and her friends all died because of who they were and where they were from, because they lived with a history of racism and economic struggle that fostered drug addiction and the dissolution of family and relationships. Jesmyn says the answer was so obvious she felt stupid for not seeing it. But it nagged at her until she knew she had to write about her community, to write their stories and her own."

There There, by Tommy Orange

"As we learn the reasons that each person is attending the Big Oakland Powwow—some generous, some fearful, some joyful, some violent—momentum builds toward a shocking yet inevitable conclusion that changes everything. Jacquie Red Feather is newly sober and trying to make it back to the family she left behind in shame. Dene Oxendene is pulling his life back together after his uncle’s death and has come to work at the powwow to honor his uncle’s memory. Opal Viola Victoria Bear Shield has come to watch her nephew Orvil, who has taught himself traditional Indian dance through YouTube videos and will to perform in public for the very first time. There will be glorious communion, and a spectacle of sacred tradition and pageantry. And there will be sacrifice, and heroism, and loss."

Dwellings: A Spiritual History of the Living World, by Linda Hogan

"'We want to live as if there is no other place,' Hogan tells us, 'as if we will always be here. We want to live with devotion to the world of waters and the universe of life.' In offering praise to sky, earth, water, and animals, she calls us to witness how each living thing is alive in a conscious world with its own integrity, grace, and dignity. In Dwellings, Hogan takes us on a spiritual quest borne out of the deep past and offers a more hopeful future as she seeks new visions and lights ancient fires."

The Tao of Raven: An Alaska Native Memoir, by Ernestine Hayes

"Using the story of Raven and the Box of Daylight (and relating it to Sun Tzu’s equally timeless Art of War) to deepen her narration and reflection, Hayes expresses an ongoing frustration and anger at the obstacles and prejudices still facing Alaska Natives in their own land, but also recounts her own story of attending and completing college in her fifties and becoming a professor and a writer. Hayes lyrically weaves together strands of memoir, contemplation, and fiction to articulate an Indigenous worldview in which all things are connected, in which intergenerational trauma creates many hardships but transformation is still possible. Now a grandmother and thinking very much of the generations who will come after her, Hayes speaks for herself but also has powerful things to say about the resilience and complications of her Native community."

Antelope Woman, by Louise Erdrich

"When Klaus Shawano abducts Sweetheart Calico, the seductive Indian woman who has stolen his heart, and takes her far from her native Montana plains to his own Minneapolis home, he cannot begin to imagine the eventual ramifications his brazen act will entail. Shawano’s mysterious Antelope Woman has utterly mesmerized him—and soon proves to be a bewitching agent of chaos whose effect on others is disturbing and irresistible, as she alters the shape of things around her and the shape of things to come."

Custer Died For Your Sins, by Vine Deloria Jr.

"In his new preface to this paperback edition, the author observes, 'The Indian world has changed so substantially since the first publication of this book that some things contained in it seem new again.' Indeed, it seems that each generation of whites and Indians will have to read and reread Vine Deloria’s Manifesto for some time to come, before we absorb his special, ironic Indian point of view and what he tells us, with a great deal of humor, about U.S. race relations, federal bureaucracies, Christian churches, and social scientists. This book continues to be required reading for all Americans, whatever their special interest."

Reinventing the Enemy's Language, by Joy Harjo

"This long-awaited anthology celebrates the experience of Native American women and is at once an important contribution to our literature and an historical document. It is the most comprehensive anthology of its kind to collect poetry, fiction, prayer, and memoir from Native American women. Over eighty writers are represented from nearly fifty nations, including such nationally known writers as Louise Erdrich, Linda Hogan, Leslie Marmon Silko, Lee Maracle, Janet Campbell Hale, and Luci Tapahonso; others — Wilma Mankiller, Winona LaDuke, and Bea Medicine — who are known primarily for their contributions to tribal communities; and some who are published here for the first time in this landmark volume."

Black Hills, by Dan Simmons

"Seamlessly weaving together the stories of Paha Sapa, Custer, and the American West, Dan Simmons depicts a tumultuous time in the history of both Native and white Americans. Haunted by Custer's ghost, and also by his ability to see into the memories and futures of legendary men like Sioux war-chief Crazy Horse, Paha Sapa's long life is driven by a dramatic vision he experienced as a boy in his people's sacred Black Hills. In August of 1936, a dynamite worker on the massive Mount Rushmore project, Paha Sapa plans to silence his ghost forever and reclaim his people's legacy-on the very day FDR comes to Mount Rushmore to dedicate the face."

Green Grass, Running Water, by Thomas King

"Strong, Sassy women and hard-luck hardheaded men, all searching for the middle ground between Native American tradition and the modern world, perform an elaborate dance of approach and avoidance in this magical, rollicking tale by Cherokee author Thomas King. Alberta is a university professor who would like to trade her two boyfriends for a baby but no husband; Lionel is forty and still sells televisions for a patronizing boss; Eli and his log cabin stand in the way of a profitable dam project. These three—and others—are coming to the Blackfoot reservation for the Sun Dance and there they will encounter four Indian elders and their companion, the trickster Coyote—and nothing in the small town of Blossom will be the same again…"

Mixing traditional music with modern elements, these Native American musicians are a great listen for immersion into modern Indigenous society over time.

The Halluci Nation

The Halluci Nation is "an acclaimed electronic DJ collective known for their genre-bending mix of hip-hop, reggae, dubstep and First Nations musical traditions."

Sihasin

"For 3 decades , brother and sister Jeneda and Clayson Benally have been recording and touring bringing their empowering organic conscious raising charged music to communities throughout Europe and North America."

Raye Zaragoza

"Raye Zaragoza is a galvanizing presence, a self-assured artist making music to fight for, represent, and celebrate those left too long outside the spotlight. Known for tenacious feminist anthems and fearless protest folk, her stage presence teems with determined morale."

Nahko Bear

"Nahko, an Oregon-native born a mix of Puerto Rican, Native American, and Filipino bloodlines considers himself a citizen in service to the planet."

Ulali

"Ulali is one of the first groups to fuse Native American musical influences and modern influences. In addition to appearing at Woodstock 1994 and the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Atlanta in 1996, the three-woman group has contributed to the soundtrack of such films as Smoke Signals and video documentaries including The Native Americans."

Cary Morin

"Described as “one of the best acoustic pickers on the scene today,” Cary Morin brings together the great musical traditions of America like no other."

There are many of Indigenous business owners, selling clothing, art, jewlery, and more. These are some that we would like to feature.

Trickster Company

"We hope to provide products which act as cultural objects which modern indigenous people can represent their heritage, create products that non-native people can wear and appreciate without appropriating via cultural exchange, and to represent modern indigenous lifestyle to a broader audience."

OXDX

"OXDX Clothing is a Native American owned business based out of Tempe, Arizona that specializes in graphic art, screen printed apparel, and cut'n'sew clothing.

Owner, designer, and artist Jared Yazzie (Diné - Navajo) has been producing artwork since 2009 to increase awareness of indigenous issues and to show the beauty of Native culture."

Bedré Fine Chocolate

"Bedré Fine Chocolate remained a local staple, and in 2000, the Chickasaw Nation purchased the company and gave it new life. Building on a rich legacy and love of curating the bold and delicate flavors of chocolate, the Chickasaw Nation turned the small chocolatier into a nationally recognized luxury chocolate brand. Having upgraded our manufacturing facilities with state-of-the-art technology and practices, Bedré Fine Chocolate has set the standard for premium quality chocolate."

Jeffrey Veregge

"Jeffrey Veregge is an award-winning Native American Artist & Writer from the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe near Kingston, Washington. He is best known for his use of form-line design with pop culture inspiration which his fans dub "Salish Geek". He has over 100 comic book covers working for Marvel, IDW, Valiant, Dynamite, Boom! & Darkhorse Comics."

Urban Native Era

"Based in Los Angeles, our daily operations prioritize a better life for Indigenous People around the world. We seek out space where Indigenous People are not traditionally seen, we value the Earth and use the most sustainable practices that we can afford, we create a collective commnity where people can come together as one all while creating fashionable clothing for everyone to wear."

Eighth Generation

"Eighth Generation provides a strong, ethical alternative to “Native-inspired” art and products through its artist-centric approach and 100% Native designed products. Our Inspired Natives Project, anchored by the tagline “Inspired Natives, not Native-inspired,” builds business capacity among cultural artists while addressing the economic impact of cultural appropriation."

Red Planet Books and Comics

"Native Realities, the Albuquerque-based company behind the Indigenous Comic Con, opened their store front to the public June 3rd, 2017. The store feature comics, toys, games, kid’s books and pop art from Native and Indigenous artists, as well as new and used books by Indigenous writers from around the world. Located at 1002 Park Avenue SW, the store will operate as the main headquarters for Native Realities and is the only Native American comic shop in the world."

Decolonial Clothing Co.

Decolonial Clothing Co. is an Indigenous owned and operated clothing company that specializes in the production of athleisure pieces to empower Indigenous People and encourage decolonization.

Maya McKibbin

Maya McKibbin is Yaqui and Ojibwe illustrator who works in comics and film, focusing on Indigenous symbolism and gender aesthetics. Working with a variety of mediums, Maya pushes to create stories that break boundaries of societal norms, introducing a wide range of themes and concepts. Current projects include short films and games.

There are an abundance of educational movies and documentaries available on Kanopy, a free movie streaming service you can access here.

In Whose Honor? American Indian Mascots in Sports

"The Cleveland Indians. Washington Redskins. Atlanta Braves. What's wrong with American Indian sports mascots? This moving, award-winning film is the first of its kind to address that subject.

IN WHOSE HONOR? takes a critical look at the long-running practice of "honoring" American Indians as mascots and nicknames in sports. It follows the story of Native American mother Charlene Teters, and her transformation into the leader some are calling the "Rosa Parks of American Indians" as she struggles to protect her cultural symbols and identity. IN WHOSE HONOR? looks at the issues of racism, stereotypes, minority representation and the powerful effects of mass-media imagery, and the extent to which one university will go to defend and justify its mascot."

Oheyisa: The Soul of an Indian

"A deeply personal family film that follows Kate Beane, an urban, Dakota scholar, and her family as they trace the remarkable life of their celebrated relative, Ohiyesa (Charles Eastman), an important author, activist, lecturer, and one of the first Native American doctors.

Along the way, Beane uncovers uncanny parallels between their lives, though they were born more than 100 years apart."

Medicine Woman: The Story of America's First Native Medical Doctor

"America's first Native doctor, Susan La Flesche Picotte (1865-1915) studied medicine at a time when few women dared. She graduated first in her class and returned home to serve as doctor to her Omaha tribe. During this heartbreaking and violent time she never gave up hope.

The reverberations from her shattered world continue today as Native Americans suffer from alarming rates of disease, suicide and mental illness. Like Susan, these modern day medicine women from the Omaha, Lakota and Navajo tribes are fighting a war and sharing a confident, even joyful, approach to the work of healing."

More Than A Word: Native American-Based Sports Mascots

"An exploration of Native American-based mascots, especially the Washington R_dskins, and their impact on real-life attitudes, issues, and policies. Through interviews with scholars, tribal leaders, lawyers, policy experts, activists, and Washington R_dskins fans, the film explores the history of the slanderous term "redskin," and delves into cultural stereotypes of Native Americans and their relationship to history. Ultimately, the film argues for representations that honor and celebrate the humanity of Indigenous people."

Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World

"This revelatory documentary brings to light the profound and overlooked influence of Indigenous people on popular music in North America. Focusing on music icons like Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix, Buffy Sainte-Marie, Taboo (The Black Eyed Peas), Charley Patton, Mildred Bailey, Jesse Ed Davis, Robbie Robertson, and Randy Castillo, RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World shows how these pioneering Native American musicians helped shape the soundtracks of our lives."

INAATE/SE/: The Seven Fires Prophecy

"A re-imagination of an ancient Ojibway story -- the Seven Fires Prophecy -- which both predates and predicts first contact with Europeans, INAATE/SE/ is a kaleidoscopic experience blending documentary, narrative, and experimental forms. INAATE/SE/ transcends linear colonized history to explore how the prophecy resonates through the generations in their indigenous community within Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

With acute geographic specificity, and grand historical scope, the film fixes its lens between the sacred and the profane to pry open the construction of contemporary indigenous identity."

Young Lakota: A Native American Leader Fights for Reproductive Rights

"In this award-winning documentary, Cecilia Fire Thunder- the first female President of the Oglala Sioux tribe, defies a proposed South Dakota law criminalizing all abortions, with no exceptions for rape or incest, by threatening to build a women's clinic on the sovereign territory of the reservation. She ignites a political firestorm that sets off a chain reaction in the lives of three young Lakotas on the Pine Ridge Reservation, forcing each of them to make choices that define who they are and the kind of adults they will become."

A Good Day To Die: Kino Lorber

"A GOOD DAY TO DIE chronicles a movement that started a revolution and inspired a nation. By recounting the life story of Dennis Banks, the Native American who co-founded the American Indian Movement (AIM) in 1968 to advocate and protect the rights of American Indians, the film provides an in-depth look at the history and issues surrounding AIM's formation. From the forced assimilation of Native Americans within boarding schools, to discrimination by law enforcement authorities, to neglect by government officials responsible for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, AIM sought redress for the many grievances that its people harbored.

Banks' personal struggle culminated in major armed confrontations at Custer, South Dakota and Wounded Knee -- climactic flash points which saw him standing steadfast as a leader for his cause."

The Return of Navajo Boy

"The Return of Navajo Boy, an official selection of the Sundance Film Festival and PBS, is an internationally acclaimed documentary that reunited a Navajo family and triggered a federal investigation into uranium contamination. It tells the story of Elsie Mae Begay, whose history in pictures reveals an incredible and ongoing struggle for environmental justice. A powerful new epilogue (produced in 2008) shows how the film and Groundswell Educational Films' outreach campaign create news and rally supporters including Congressman Henry Waxman (D-CA). The Chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform mandated a clean-up plan by the five agencies that are responsible for uranium contamination."

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