What Is National Native American Heritage Month?
“National Native American Heritage Month is observed each November and honors the rich histories, diverse cultures, and contributions of more than 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States. For those asking when National Native American Heritage Month is, it takes place throughout November, with the Friday following Thanksgiving designated as Native American Heritage Day.
This observance is not only about recognizing the past. It celebrates a living and evolving cultural landscape, often described as a ‘beautiful mosaic’ of traditions, languages, and identities that remain deeply connected to the land. It is also a time to look toward the future, supporting Native youth, uplifting tribal communities, and encouraging meaningful allyship rooted in respect, cultural preservation, and the protection of Native lands and lifeways.”—Running Strong for American Indian Youth
The CBC invites you to explore this featured selection of 2026 titles by, for, and about Indigenous people, or view the complete National Native American Heritage Month visual list, which is also available as a downloadable spreadsheet.
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Aaniin: I See Your Light, by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band Ojibwe); illustrated by Nanibah Chacon (Navajo) (HarperCollins / Heartdrum) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Kindness / Generosity / Support, Science / Nature, Animals, ages 3–7.
Alice Piper Speaks Up, by Loralee Sepsey (Big Pine Paiute Tribe of the Owens Valley) & Sage Andrew Romero (Tovowahamatu Numu (Big Pine Paiute) and Tuah-Tahi (Taos Pueblo)); illustrated by Morgan Thompson (Cherokee Nation) (Heyday) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, History, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Biography / Memoir, ages 7–12.
All the Water on Earth, by Rochelle Strauss; illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw Nation) (Kids Can Press) — Conservation / Sustainability / Recycling, Science / Nature, Facts / Trivia, ages 5–9.
The Animals Speak: The Lakota Way, by SD Nelson (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe), Dakota Goodhouse; illustrated by SD Nelson (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe) (ABRAMS / Abrams Books for Young Readers) — Cultural Diversity, Animals, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths / Legends, ages 3–7.
Blue Bearies, by Brenda J. Child (Bíne) (Red Lake Ojibwe); illustrated by Jonathan Thunder (Red Lake Ojibwe) (Minnesota Historical Society Press) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Animals, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths / Legends, School / Education, ages 3–7.
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Boarding Schools and the Indigenous Story, by Ashley Fairbanks (White Earth Nation) (Random House Children’s Books / Crown Books for Young Readers) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, History, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, School / Education, ages 9–Teen (12+).
Buffalo Ways: The Enduring Story of Buffalo and the First Peoples of North America, by Deidre Havrelock (Saddle Creek Cree Nation); illustrated by William Burns (Rosebud Sioux Tribe) (Holiday House) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Animals, Conservation / Sustainability / Recycling, History, ages 3–9.
Children of Owl, by Darcie Little Badger (Lipan Apache); illustrated by Abigail Rajunov (Levine Querido) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Mystery / Thriller, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths / Legends, Death / Grief / Loss, Teen (12+).
The Choctaw: People, Culture, and History, by Stacy Wells (Choctaw Nation) (Capstone / Capstone Press) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, History, Family / Community, Daily Life, ages 7–9.
Death in the Tallgrass, by Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee Nation) (Levine Querido) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Mystery / Thriller, Historical Fiction, Family / Community, ages 9–Teen (12+).
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An Expanse of Blue, by Kauakanilehua Mahoe Adams (Kanaka Maoli) (HarperCollins / Heartdrum) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Romance, Coming of Age, Teen (12+).
Female Indigenous Heroes: 51 North American Women from the 1800s to Today, by Katrina M. Phillips (Red Cliff Ojibwe); illustrated by TAI (Sourcebooks / Callisto Kids) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Biography / Memoir, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, History, ages 9–12.
Fight Song, by Kirk Van Brunt (Colville-Secwepemc) (Tundra Books / Swift Water Books) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Sports / Games / Recreation, Family / Community, Coming of Age, Teen (12+).
Fire in Your Belly, by Rebecca Lafond (Beardy’s and Okemasis Cree Nation); illustrated by Aly McKnight (Shoshone-Bannock Tribes) (Chronicle Books) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths / Legends, Social Emotional Learning, Family / Community, ages 5–9.
Free to Fly, by Karina Iceberg (Aleut-Alutiiq); illustrated by Steph Littlebird (Kalapuya/Chinook) (HarperCollins / Heartdrum) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Kindness / Generosity / Support, ages 3–9.
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The Froggy Library, by Julie Fiveash (Diné); illustrated by Julie Fiveash (Diné); colors by Jess Lome (Levine Querido) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Cultural Diversity, Family / Community, Death / Grief / Loss, ages 7–12.
Gabriel’s Winter Count, by Andrea M. Page (Hunkpapa Lakota from Standing Rock Sioux Tribe); illustrated by Alfreda Beartrack Algeo (Lakota from Lower Brule Sioux Tribe) (Charlesbridge) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Science / Nature, Cultural Diversity, ages 3–7.
The Girl Who Loves Trees, by Nancy Cooper (Chippewas of Rama First Nation); illustrated by Hawlii Pichette (Mushkego Cree) (Owlkids) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Science / Nature, Cultural Diversity, ages 5–9.
A Good Hide, by Karina Iceberg (Aleut-Alutiiq); illustrated by Natasha Donovan (Métis) (HarperCollins / Heartdrum) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Cultural Diversity, Family / Community, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, ages 3–9.
Here Come the Aunties!, by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Nation); illustrated by Aphelandra (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin descendant) (HarperCollins / Heartdrum) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Kindness / Generosity / Support, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, ages 3–9.
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Here Come the Grandmas!, by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Nation); illustrated by Aphelandra (Oneida Nation of Wisconsin descendant) (HarperCollins / Heartdrum) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Kindness / Generosity / Support, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, ages 3–9.
If You Make a Mosom Tea, by Tonya Simpson (Pasqua First Nation); illustrated by Emily Côté (Métis) (Orca Book Publishers) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Cultural Diversity, ages 3–5.
In Our Own Words: True Stories of Indian Boarding Schools, by Brenda J. Child (Red Lake Ojibwe); illustrated by Benay McNamara (Red Lake Ojibwe) (Hachette Book Group / Christy Ottaviano Books) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, History, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, School / Education, ages 9–12.
Indigenous from A to Z, by Traci Sorell (Cherokee); illustrated by Natasha Donovan (Métis) (Hachette Book Group / Workman Kids) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, History, Cultural Diversity, Family / Community, ages 5–12.
Ishkode: A Story of Fire, by Evan Larson & Nisogaabokwe Melonee Montano (Red Cliff Ojibwe); illustrated by Moira (Miri) Villiard (Fond du Lac Ojibwe direct descendant) (University of Minnesota Press) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths / Legends, Science / Nature, Conservation / Sustainability / Recycling, ages 5–12.
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Kohkom’s First Drum, by Monique Gray Smith (Cree); illustrated by Karlene Harvey (Tŝilhqot’in and Syilx) (Orca Book Publishers) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Historical Fiction, Family / Community, Cultural Diversity, ages 5–9.
Like Glass, by Jen Ferguson (Métis and white) (HarperCollins / Heartdrum) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, LGBTQIA+, Death / Grief / Loss, Teen (12+).
Many Ways of Being Native, by Ginger Reno (Cherokee Nation); illustrated by Johnson Yazzie (Navajo) (Charlesbridge) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Cultural Diversity, Family / Community, ages 3–7.
The Medicine Way, by William Dumas (Rocky Cree); illustrated by Rhian Brynjolson (Portage & Main Press / HighWater Press) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Historical Fiction, Cultural Diversity, Family / Community, ages 9–12.
Medicine Wheels, by Byron Graves (Red Lake Ojibwe and Lakota) (HarperCollins / Heartdrum) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Sports / Games / Recreation, Death / Grief / Loss, Coming of Age, Teen (12+).
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Moss Guide, by Carol Rose GoldenEagle (Cree/Dene); illustrated by Trisha Marie (Cree, Red Pheasant First Nations) (Medicine Wheel Publishing) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Science / Nature, Family / Community, Action / Adventure, ages 5–9.
Napesni Renegade: A Bison’s Journey, by Marcie R. Rendon (White Earth Nation); illustrated by Sam Zimmerman (Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa descendant) (Charlesbridge) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Animals, Conservation / Sustainability / Recycling, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, ages 3–7.
The Ones Who Came Before, by Kevin Maillard (Seminole Nation); illustrated by Sibu T. P. (Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group / Roaring Brook Press) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Cultural Diversity, Social Emotional Learning, ages 3–9.
Paul’s Bunion: A Tall Tale Resized, by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Ojibwe); illustrated by Chief Lady Bird (Chippewa and Potawatomi from Rama First Nation and Moosedeer Point First Nation) (Levine Querido) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths / Legends, Humor, ages 3–9.
Raven, Rising, by Christine Hartman Derr (Cherokee Nation) (HarperCollins / Heartdrum) — Cultural Diversity, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Magical Realism, Coming of Age, ages 7–12.
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Realmsweep, by H.E. Edgmon (Dine-Seminole) (Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group / Feiwel & Friends) — Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Action / Adventure, Coming of Age, ages 7–12.
Red River Rose, by Carole Lindstrom (Anishinaabe/Metis) (Bloomsbury / Bloomsbury Children’s Books) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Historical Fiction, Family / Community, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, ages 7–12.
Riding the Trail: Cherokees Remember the Removal, by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation) & Will Chavez (Cherokee Nation/San Felipe Pueblo) (Charlesbridge) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Sports / Games / Recreation, Cultural Diversity, History, ages 9–12.
Ruth Muskrat and the So-Called Indian Problem: The Fight for Native American Civil Rights, by Jen Loren (Cherokee Nation); illustrated by Rebecca Kunz (Cherokee Nation) (Levine Querido) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Biography / Memoir, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Government / Politics / Law, ages 3–9.
A Salmon Story: Protecting the Future, by Willie Poll (Métis); illustrated by Chantelle Trainor-Matties (Nisga’a, Métis, mixed European ancestry) (Owlkids) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Conservation / Sustainability / Recycling, Science / Nature, Animals, ages 5–9.
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Salt Water Blood, by Manuia Heinrich (Tahitian Chinese) (Simon & Schuster / Sarah Barley Books/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Mystery / Thriller, Family / Community, Death / Grief / Loss, Teen (12+).
Sarah Ponakey, Storycatcher, and Wâpos’s Friendship Garden, by Sita MacMillan (Zagime Anishinabek); illustrated by Azby Whitecalf (Plains Cree) (Annick Press) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Social Emotional Learning, Cultural Diversity, ages 5–9.
Seasons by the Lake: Adventures in Greenland, by Naja Lund Aparico (Inuk); illustrated by Alex Nees (Choctaw descent) (Penguin Young Readers / Dial Books) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Science / Nature, Holidays / Seasons / Celebrations, ages 3–9.
Secrets at Sparhawk Point, by Anna Rose Johnson (Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa) (Holiday House) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths / Legends, Family / Community, Magical Realism, ages 7–12.
Shards of Silence, by Brian Lee Young (Diné) (HarperCollins / Heartdrum) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, School / Education, Coming of Age, Teen (12+).
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The Shark Prince, by Malia Maunakea (Native Hawaiian) (Penguin Young Readers / Penguin Workshop) — Folklore / Fairytales / Myths / Legends, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Sports / Games / Recreation, Family / Community, ages 7–12.
Spirit Shadow, by Ginger Reno (Cherokee Nation); illustrated by Mary Lupton (Cherokee Nation) (Holiday House) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Cultural Diversity, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, ages 3–9.
Stories are the Heart of the World, by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation – Alaskan Native Citizen of the Tsimshian Tribe); illustrated by Nicole Neidhart (Diné (Navajo)) (Simon & Schuster / Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Family / Community, Cultural Diversity, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, ages 3–9.
Tales From Cabin 23: The Sinking House, by Darcie Little Badger (Lipan Apache) (HarperCollins / Clarion Books) — Horror, Occult / Paranormal / Supernatural, Action / Adventure, Friendships, ages 7–12.
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Tana Cooks for Field Day Fun, by Stacy Wells (Choctaw); illustrated by Maria Gabriela Gama (Capstone / Picture Window Books) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Sports / Games / Recreation, Friendships, Social Emotional Learning, ages 7–9.
Tess’s Red Dress: Honouring love and family, by Carolyn Roberts (Squamish Nation); illustrated by Kelsey Mata Foote (Tlingit) (Medicine Wheel Publishing) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Family / Community, Death / Grief / Loss, ages 7–9.
That Which Feeds Us, by Keala Kendall (Native Hawaiian) (Random House Children’s Books / Random House Books for Young Readers) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Mystery / Thriller, Occult / Paranormal / Supernatural, LGBTQIA+, Teen (12+).
Words Spoken True, by Anne Broyles (Cherokee Nation) (Scholastic / Scholastic Press) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Historical Fiction, Places / Travel, Family / Community, ages Teen (12+).
Special Thanks:
Most of the featured 2026 titles and tribal affiliation details in this list were curated with the help of Indigenous Reads Rising—an invaluable project dedicated to highlighting Indigenous literature and creators. We encourage you to visit their site to explore more of their important work and resources.
