The Preservation of Indigenous Cultures and Languages Through Children's Books

Indigenous nations and individuals have been asserting their voices and reclaiming spaces throughout the world. Not only in June during National Indigenous History Month but in multiple mediums increasingly over the last few years.

TikTok has given Indigenous creators a broad platform to share their traditions, languages, and demystify their day-to-day lives. The fight continues across North America as Native rights advocates put their bodies on the line to protect the land from oil pipeline developments. The gut-wrenching discoveries of unmarked graves filled with Indigenous children who were forced into residential boarding schools in Canada were brought to light by First Nation leaders. On a positive note, there has been progress in the Land Buy-Back movement where territories from pre-colonization are being reclaimed.

Along with commanding attention on an international scale, the publishing industry tag #Ownvoices has gained traction to amplify books written by Indigenous authors about their traditions. Despite their traditions, languages, and cultures being some of the oldest on earth, there are very few titles from Native writers that have been published, amplified, or awarded. That doesn’t mean there aren’t educational and entertaining books that are great additions to children’s bookshelves. 

The following are just a few illustrated books for children that combine great storytelling with the culture of Indigenous peoples.

The Tortoise and Ostrich Keeping a Native Language Alive

!Qhoi nla Tjhoi (Tortoise and Ostrich)

Indoctrination and assimilation of Native peoples has touched every corner of the world, including the continent of Africa. The Indigenous tribe of the San people based in the outskirts of the Northern Cape in South Africa were deemed illiterate by Dutch colonizers when they arrived on their land and were forced to stop speaking their native language, N|uu. The reportedly over 60,000 year old Khoisan language is now nearly extinct.

Katrina Esau, Author

The last native speaker of the language, Katrina Esau, is on a mission to keep it alive. The 88 year old grandmother not only teaches N|uu to children at the small school she has built in front of her home in Rosedale, she has written a children’s book, with the help of her granddaughter Claudia Snyman, to preserve the critically endangered language. !Qhoi nla Tjhoi (Tortoise and Ostrich), illustrated by Stanley Grootboom, includes the N|uu’s signature style and format with its numerous distinct clicks.

The children’s book about an Ostrich and Tortoise who decide to race to win a clay pot they discover is not only full of fun lessons on animals but also friendship and ways to outsmart the competition. Esau was awarded the 2020 National Honorary Award, titled the Order of the Baobab in Silver by the Presidency Republic of South Africa for her relentless efforts to preserve her native language. The tale has also been translated into Afrikaans and English by Snyman.

Luckily, !Qhoi nla Tjhoi isn’t the only title aiming to shed light on the authentic identity and untold languages of Africa. Kenyan author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o recently released his latest folklore adventure novel The Perfect Nine in his native Kikuyu, a Bantu language.

Love Letter From an Expectant Mom Filled With Traditions 

I Sang You Down From the Stars

In the New York Times Bestselling book I Sang You Down From the Stars, rising Canadian poet, speaker, and author Tasha Spillett-Sumner shares a heartfelt, lyrical story about a mother awaiting the arrival of her baby. The preparation process incorporates distinct Indigenous traditions and creation stories. Illustrated in watercolor by Tlingit artist Michaela Goade, the book is both beautiful to look at and touching to read.

Tasha Spillett-Sumner, Author

While expecting her own daughter it was important for Spillett-Sumner, who is Inninewak (Cree) and Trinidadian, to create a story that reflected the family life of her community through their own eyes. In the book, the mother-to-be gathers gifts to create a sacred bundle: a fluffy white eagle plume, a bushel of cedar and sage, a small stone from the river, and more. Each item added to the bundle gives the new baby strength and connection to their tradition, family, and community. 

Her work to amplify the way of life of her community takes place on and off the page. As a member of Manitoba’s Indigenous community, Spillett-Sumner is a ceremony woman, traditional singer, and educates about land-​based history, anti-racism, decolonization, and Indigenous women and girls. I Sang You Down From the Stars is a rare instance of two Indigenous creators working together and garnering well-deserved recognition but thankfully it’s not the only one.

An Award-Winning Tale Inspired by the Pipeline Protests

We Are Water Protectors

The children’s book We Are Water Protectors is dedicated to all of the Indigenous led movements and protests across North America to safeguard Earth’s water from harm and corruption. Written by Carole Lindstrom and also illustrated by Michela Goade. Along with landing on the New York Times Bestseller list, the illustrations of the book won Goade the 2021 Caldecott Medal Winner as the most distinguished artist of an American picture book for children—making her the first Native American to win the award.

Carole Lindstrom, Author

Tribally enrolled with the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe, Lindstrom is Anishinabe and Métis. After seeing the monumental work done by Native activists at Standing Rock, she was driven to write this bold, lyrical, and triumphant account. Led by a courageous and unstoppable female character from the Ojibwe, the characters of the book fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline destroying tribal land. While the book tells a victorious tale, in real life, the work continues for Indigenous peoples to preserve the land they hold sacred. 

Not only recognized for its outstanding illustrations, the book has been recognized with over half a dozen accolades since its release last year including NPR Best Book of the Year, Jane Addams Children's Book Award Winner, and NYPL Best Books of the Year. 

These are just a few select children's books that provide insight into the history, culture, and stories of Native peoples that aren’t just fun and enlightening reading for kids but for parents as well.