The Native and Indigenous Allies Committee of the Chicago Public Library invite all to celebrate Native and Indigenous peoples. This year, we celebrate Indigenous S.T.E.AM., Indigenous ways of knowing that have major impacts on our foodways, nature’s wellbeing, pop culture, sports, architecture, and all fields of science and engineering. We also celebrate Native excellence in literature, music, television, film, and visual arts.
Land Acknowledgement
The City of Chicago is located on the land that is and has long been a center for Native peoples. The area is the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe, or the Council of the Three Fires: Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations. Many other Nations consider this area their traditional homeland, including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo, and Mascouten. We acknowledge all Native peoples who came before us and who continue to contribute to our city. We are committed to promoting Native cultural heritage.
The Chicago Public Library’s Native and Indigenous Allies Committee invite all to learn about and celebrate our Native and Indigenous neighbors in Chicago, the Midwest, and all over.
Space Escape Cover Art & Coloring Page by Jim Terry
Space Escape by Jim Terry, Ho-Chunk
Jim Terry is a Ho-Chunk illustrator who's graphic novel "Come Home, Indio" was nominated for the LA Times Book Prize. He's worked in comics for over a decade on titles like West Of Sundown, Deathstalker, Marvel's Heritage and many more. Chicago is his home. See more of Jim Terry’s art at jimterryart.bigcartel.com.
Events
Book Discussions and Author Events
Voices for Justice: 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Monday, Nov. 18, 6:00PM – 7:00PM
Harold Washington Library Center
The Night Watchman
Saturday, Nov. 2, 1:00pm
Avalon Branch
Killers of the Flower Moon
Sunday, Nov. 3, 1:30pm
North Pulaski Branch
Registration is required.
Coffee & Book Discussion: Never Whistle at Night
Saturday, Nov. 9 at 11:00am
Lozano Branch
Registration is required.
Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty
Thursday, Nov. 14, 6:30pm
Walker Branch
The Road Back to Sweetgrass by Linda LeGarde Grover
Saturday, Nov. 16, 2:00pm
Back of the Yards Branch
Programs for Kids and Families
Day of the Dead Celebration w/ Danza Azteca Xochitl-Quetzal
Saturday, Oct. 26 at 12:00pm
Back of the Yards Branch
Native Basket Weaving Paper Craft
Sunday, Nov. 3, 2:00pm
Lozano Branch
Destination Discovery Story Time at the Field Museum Wednesday, Nov. 13, 10:30am
Online (Registration is required.)
In-Person: Field Museum, Pawnee Earth Lodge
Club Create
Corn Husk Dolls, Wednesday, Nov. 6 4:00pm
Spin Drum, Wednesday, Nov. 13, 4:00pm
Talking Stick, Wednesday, Nov. 20. 4:00pm
Pan Pipes, Wednesday, Nov. 27, 4:00pm
Back of the Yards Branch
Starr Chief Eagle, Lakota Artist & Hoop Dance Extraordinaire
Wednesday, December 4, 4:00pm, All ages
Austin Branch
Programs for Adults and Teens
Brushstrokes of Resilience: Navigating Two Worlds Through Art w/ Le'Ana Asher
Saturday, Nov. 09 at 11:00am
Portage-Cragin Branch
Newberry Library American Indian & Indigenous Studies Collection Tours
Saturday, Nov. 16, 10:30am
Saturday, Nov. 23, 10:30am
Meet at the Newberry Library.
Registration is required.
Let's Talk About Music - OTYKEN
Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 6:00pm
Online event
Registration is required.
Teen Film Screening: Teachings of the Tree People: The Work of Bruce Miller (2006)
Tuesday Nov. 26, 4:00pm
Toman Branch
Film Screenings
The Warrior Tradition (2019)
Saturday, Nov. 2, 2:00pm
West Pullman
Slash/Back (2022)
Monday, Nov. 11, 5:30pm
Toman Branch
The Journey of Sacagawea (2004)
Monday, Nov. 18, 6:00pm
NR, 60 minutes
Archer Heights Branch
Incident at Oglala (1992)
PG, 90 minutes
Monday, Nov. 25, 5:30pm
Toman Branch
On the Ridge (2024)
Thursday, Dec. 5, 6:00pm
Lozano Branch
Reading Recommendations
Native American Heritage Month Reads for Kids
Native American Heritage Month Reads for Teens
Native American Heritage Month Reads for Adults
