Native American Heritage Month
In recognition of the contributions, rich heritage and traditions of the first Americans, November is Native American Heritage Month. This year's themes are Guiding Our Destiny with Heritage and Traditions and A Native Prescription: Balancing Mind, Body & Spirit. The Library of Congress has put together a wonderful website featuring audio, video, and digital images from their archived collections on Native American history and life.
Visit the main Grand Rapids library and check out the display in honor of Native Americans located on the second floor. You can also browse through our extensive collection of Native American movies and books about history, art, literature, and biographies.
One of my favorite recent reads is a novel written by Native American author Sherman Alexie. Although written for teens, The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian, will make you root for young Arnold Spirit, Jr., an outcast living on the Spokane Indian Reservation who yearns to be a cartoonist. Delightful cartoons accompany the book's text.