The People Shall Continue

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The People Shall Continue  By Simon Ortiz,  Illustrated by Sharol Graves
                            First Published in 1978    24 Pages



Books about Native Americans that were written by Native Americans are a rarity. This title is a stunning and unique contribution.

Telling the history of Native Americans from pre-contact times to the present day in a 24 page book seems like an impossible task, yet Simon Ortiz and crew manage to approach the task with style & flair, and they impart a surprising amount of information in the process.

Naturally, one can not take hundreds of diverse cultures and encapsulate their collective experience over 500 years in such a format. That said, the book succeeds in providing a unifying narrative that emphasizes the commonalities of the people and their experiences.

This book would be an excellent introduction to themes and dynamics that informed the treatment of Native Americans over time and how they reacted. Additionally, it is still too rare that we get books on Native Americans that are from their perspective.

The author is an Acoma Pueblo scholar and poet, and the illustrator is of Ojibwe, Shawnee, and Dakota heritage. The text was originally a poem, and then it was adapted into picture book form.

I think that this book would be an excellent starting point for any project on Native Americans. It outlines some themes that students can look for when they study particular aspects of the topic.

For example, if one were to read it before delving into topics such as missions or Thanksgiving, the students will be primed to ask questions about what is left out of the typical accounts and treatment of the subjects.

Additionally, the poem reaches out to other marginalized peoples as well.

"The People looked out and they saw Black People, Chicano People, Asian People, many White People and others who were kept poor by American wealth and power.

The People saw that these People who were not rich and powerful shared a common life with them.

The People realized that they must share their history with them."


There is also a local connection. The author collaborated with the students and teachers of the Oakland Native American Survival School in the early parts of this work.

This book has been through multiple printings, but it is currently out of print.

There are many copies in stock across the district. Chances are that you may already have a copy or two in your library, if not, you can get a copy sent your way rather easily.

Digger

 

 

Digger: The Tragic Fate of the California Indians From the Missions to the Gold Rush

 

By Jerry Stanley    Published in 1997      128 pages

 

 

Sugar cube mission projects and sugar coated mission mythology are standard fare for many schools. 

This book provides a welcome antidote in an accessible package. This counter narrative details the forced labor, cultural and physical devastation that were wrought on California Natives during this time period.

 

Also, the Gold Rush is all too often presented in romantic terms, and even when a more realistic view is entertained, it frequently omits the perspective and experiences of the California Natives. This book helps fill those gaps. 

 

Unfortunately, there is a dearth of books on this subject that are accessible to upper elementary school students. Though this book isn't perfect, it is the best that I have seen thus far. Sections of the book can be used to balance omissions that are found in the typical narrative.