To our CHSSP Network:

We know that many of you, like us, are still reeling from a tumultuous election season and the uncertainty of the many changes to come. We echo the statement issued by California’s public higher education leaders on November 6 and support the commitments made to California students by State Superintendent Tony Thurmond on November 8. Regardless of national politics, we will continue in our mission to issue high-quality, scholarship-supported history-social science and Ethnic Studies resources that promote equity and center diverse experiences. We affirm the rights of all students to see themselves and their communities reflected in the curriculum they’re taught. 

In that vein, we are proud to once again celebrate November as Native American Heritage Month. In 1990, after almost a century of continuous campaigns for national recognition by Indigenous activists, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November as “National American Indian Heritage Month.” This month is a time to celebrate the culture, language, and traditions of Indigenous people, and to engage seriously with their histories. In the wake of political strife and negativity, celebrating the diversity and strength of other cultures can be a healing experience for both teachers and students. 

To help you bring Indigenous history into your classroom, we’ve curated a list of some helpful links:

- CHSSP Resource Spotlights

• Native American Heritage Resources: This Resource Spotlight from 2023 features a list of teaching resources, academic book recommendations, and picture books that center Native American history and heritage. One 5th grade lesson about how American Indians interacted with European settlers has particularly useful analysis tools (see P. 19). Another Thanksgiving-focused primary source set from the Library of Congress has been popular with elementary teachers for years.
• Native American Heritage and Survivance: This Resource Spotlight from 2022 highlights resources that amplify how Indigenous Americans leveraged their political, social, and economic power to resist assimilation, preserve and adapt cultural practices, and assert their autonomy. It includes a 4th grade inquiry set on Native Californian communities and the changes to their lives during the Spanish mission period.
• Monthly Highlights - November 21: This Monthly Highlights page from 2021 features teaching resources on Native American history from across the CHSSP network. For example, check out a K-2 lesson from the UC Berkeley History-Social Science Project on Harvest Festivals, as well as an extensive list of picture books that center Native American authors, characters, and histories.

- CHSSP Blogs on Native American History and Heritage:

• Agency, Resistance, Persistence: Teaching Indigenous History with Culturally-Sustaining Practices by Brianna Tafolla Rivière (November 2022)
• November: Indigenous History Month by Vanessa Madrigal-Lauchland and Beth Slutsky (Oct 2021)

- Other Resources for Educators:

• The Native American Heritage Month website has lots of helpful links, including to resources from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, and more! Check out their “Teachers” tab for an extensive list of educator resources.

- Recent Scholarship:

• Native Nations: A Millenium in North America by Kathleen DuVal (2024): A long-form history of Indigenous people in North America. DuVal demonstrates that Native civilizations did not “come to a halt” when faced with European arrivals, but maintained levels of sovereignty and influence that still exist today. 
• The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History by Ned Blackhawk (2023): Blackwawk seeks to retell the familiar U.S. history “narrative” without decentering or deprioritizing Native people. He interweaves five centuries of Native and non-Native histories, demonstrating that Indigenous history is necessary to understanding American history and the development of modern America.  
• Squanto: A Native Odyssey by Andrew Lipman (2024): A new biography to read this Thanksgiving season. Barnard College historian Andrew Lipman carefully reconstructs Squanto’s life story from primary sources.

Kate’s Book Club: November Reads

Being Home by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Michaela Goade (Tlingit).  Goodbye is another word for “new beginning.” A young Cherokee girl learns about new beginnings when her family moves away from their city home back to their ancestral land. The young girl can’t wait for what lies ahead, like eating a feast with her big, extended family and playing with her cousins by the creek. Students can relate to the anticipation and nervousness surrounding a move to a new and unfamiliar place. Great opportunity to integrate art, music, and indigenous culture into the classroom. 

Daughter of the Light-Footed People:  The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion Lorena Ramirez by Belen Medina, illustrated by Natalia Rojas Castro. A biography of ultramarathon runner, Lorena Ramírez, who belongs to the Indigenous Rarámuri people of Mexico. As Ramírez runs 60 miles while wearing the traditional shoes and clothing of her people, readers learn about her rural upbringing and lifestyle, as well as the intense physical demands of the race. The illustrations beautifully blend present and past to give readers a view of the race from a variety of perspectives—from her white rubber shoes to the clouds and birds soaring above her. Many connections for teaching figurative language, perspective, rhythm, physical education and character education.

Métis Like Me by Tasha Hilderman (Metis), illustrated by Risa Hugo.  Are you Métis (may-tee) like me? A group of children of Métis descent share and explore all the ways they celebrate and experience their heritage—enjoying traditional foods like bannock bread and Saskatoon berries; crafting with beads; sharing stories, dance, music and songs. Each child shares a different way they enjoy honoring their backgrounds and weaving parts of the rich tapestry that makes up Métis culture. What an interesting read!  Love the raised Métis beading on the cover and the use of Métis beading in the head silhouettes. So much potential for arts integration!

My Powerful Hair by Carole Lindstrom (Anishinaabe/Metis), illustrated by Steph Littlebird (Chinook/Kalapuyan).  Mom never had long hair—she was told it was too wild. Grandma couldn’t have long hair—hers was taken from her. But one young girl can’t wait to grow her hair long: for herself, for her family, for her connection to her culture and the Earth, and to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her.  Simply wonderful book that highlights hair as an extension of us all that holds strength and power.  Don't miss the back matter.

Too Much:  My Great Big Native Family by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Tsimshian Nations), illustrated by Bridget George (Nimkiinagwaagankwe). Russell is a Native boy who yearns for a chance to shine. When he gets a role in the school play, he’s excited to share the news with his family. But his family is a lot! They’re loud and boisterous, and there are so many individual people and personalities that it’s difficult to get the family’s attention. That’s when Russell decides to keep his success to himself. But he soon realizes that being alone is… lonely. Ultimately, Russell learns that a lot of family means a lot of love and support.  Great for all ages.  CDE recommended book list.  

When We Gather (Ostadahlisiha):  A Cherokee Tribal Feast by Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw).  A Cherokee child celebrates their heritage by gathering wild onions. This is a special ingredient that will be used in a meal during a big community tradition. Readers are introduced to this custom, which is celebrated by several southeastern tribes.  Would be interesting to pair with the poetry collection, Ode to an Onion: Pablo Neruda & His Muse by Alexandria Giardino.

Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills by Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota) and Donna Janell Bowman, illustrated by S.D Nelson (Standing Rock Sioux).  Billy Mills was once an orphan on the Oglala Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation. Before his father passed away, he told Billy how to conquer his suffering: “You have broken wings, son. You have to dig deeper, below the anger, the hurt, the self-pity. The pursuit of a dream will heal you.” Despite poverty, racism, and severe health challenges, Billy raced toward his goal of becoming an Olympic athlete, inspired by his indigenous ancestors who stood strong when the odds were against them. Though at times he felt like his wings were clipped—a lone bird falling from the sky—he adapted and overcame, finally earning his place at the 1964 Olympics.  Billy Mills is the only American to win a gold medal in the 10,000 meter race and lives in Fair Oaks, California.  A recent article can be found here.  Excellent back matter and timeline.

Upcoming Events:

Scholar Series: Ethnic Studies -- November 14, 2024

Join the UC Berkeley High School Ethnic Studies Initiative in a conversation with Mike Tonoco centered around the question, “How can Ethnic Studies educators cultivate healing spaces in their classrooms using nonviolent communication and needs-based pedagogy?”

Cambodian American Studies Conference -- November 15-16, 2024

The Orange County Department of Education is hosting a conference to introduce the Cambodian American Studies Model (CASMC). The CASMC will assist educators in teaching about the histories, cultures, and traditions of Cambodian Americans as part of Education Finance Bill AB 167. 

CSMP UTK Conference -- December 3, 2024

Join the California Subject Matter Project in this cross-disciplinary conference focused on inquiry-based learning for Transitional Kindergarten / Pre-Kindergarten students in all curriculum areas. Participants will leave the conference with high quality, play-based, inquiry-centered learning tools for the TK/PK classroom. 

Thank you all for the work that you do as educators of the next generation! We are here to support you.