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Discover Books by Indigenous Authors

Indigenous History Month
June is Indigenous History Month. It's the month when we celebrate Indigenous history across Canada, with June 21st being National Indigenous Peoples Day. During my time at university—which is acknowledged to be upon the unceded ancestral lands of the Mi’kmaw people—I was lucky enough to work very closely with amazing members of the Fort Folly Reserve near my university town. Actually, the work we did was for a cookbook that one of my professors co-wrote with Margaret Augustine, a community member in Elsipogtog First Nation. Working alongside these amazing, talented women—and getting to listen in on the many interviews they executed to gather more information on the cultural history of Mi’kmaw cuisine—was one of my best memories from university. 

Books by Indigenous authors

That said, I am here to fill your daily scroll with book recommendations that support Indigenous voices. And don't forget, we should be reading Indigenous authors all year round.Let’s get to it!1. If you’re looking for non-fiction, try reading “Braiding Sweet Grass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This book is a mythic, scientific, and sacred journey exploring the interrelationships of all living beings. As someone who loves to read about nature, this is at the top of my TBR for this month. 2. If you’re looking for romance, try reading “Heartbeat Braves” by Pamela Sanderson. If you like the forced proximity and enemies-to-lovers tropes, then you’ll probably like this book! Rayanne Larson is not happy when her special project is handed over to her leader’s nephew. The thing is, neither is the nephew in question. Henry Grant has no interest in working at the Indian Center… until he meets Rayanne.3. If you’re looking for fantasy, try reading “Funeral Songs for Dying Girls” by Cherie Dimaline. In this book, the FMC, Winifred, befriends a ghost and starts rumors of a haunted cemetery to save her father’s job. It’s a story of grief, belonging, and love. This is another queer title that’s perfect to read to support Indigenous and queer voices.4. If you’re looking for a mystery/thriller/horror, try reading “Never Whistle at Night” by Shane Hawk & Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. These wholly original and shiver-inducing tales introduce readers to ghosts, curses, hauntings, monstrous creatures, complex family legacies, desperate deeds, and chilling acts of revenge. Introduced and contextualized by bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones, these stories are a celebration of Indigenous peoples’ survival and imagination, and a glorious reveling in all the things an ill-advised whistle might summon.5. If you’re looking for something short, but impactful (that also raises queer/two-spirited voices!), try reading “Love After the End” by Joshua Whitehead. This is an anthology of queer, Indigenous speculative fiction that I recommend to everyone who asks for shorter book recommendations. I read it last year and still think about it on a regular basis. I’ve curated a list filled with various genres of books written by Indigenous authors that you should absolutely read this month, and throughout the year in general. I’d love to know which books by Indigenous authors you would recommend!
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer digital book - Fable

Braiding Sweetgrass

By Robin Wall KimmererFable Club Pick

Robin Wall Kimmerer is a mother, scientist, decorated professor, and enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. She is the author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge

Heartbeat Braves by Pamela Sanderson digital book - Fable

Heartbeat Braves

By Pamela Sanderson

He has no interest in the Indian Center job his uncle pushes on him. That is, until he meets Rayanne. She’s attractive and smart, and like no woman he has ever met.

Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline digital book - Fable

Funeral Songs for Dying Girls

By Cherie Dimaline

After inadvertently starting rumors of a haunted cemetery, a teen befriends a ghost in this brand-new young adult novel exploring grief and belonging by the critically acclaimed and bestselling author of The Marrow Thieves series.

Never Whistle At Night by Shane Hawk digital book - Fable

Never Whistle At Night

By Shane Hawk

Introduced and contextualized by bestselling author Stephen Graham Jones, these stories are a celebration of Indigenous peoples’ survival and imagination, and a glorious reveling in all the things an ill-advised whistle might summon.

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