American Indians in Children's Literature

From AcademicBlogs

Critical discussion of American Indians in children's books, the school curriculum, popular culture, and society-at-large. Blog owner is a tribally enrolled Nambe Pueblo Indian, and is an Assistant Professor in American Indian Studies at the University of Illinois in Urbana Champaign.

Discussion on the blog in October and November of 2006 centered on the ways that society and education "teach" children about Columbus Day and Thanksgiving.

Blog also includes extensive links to webpages maintained by Native authors, websites that can help gain insight necessary to critique representations of American Indians, and links to articles on line on the topic of the blog.

Important note: I use "American Indian" by preference over "Native American." As a scholar in American Indian Studies, it is my preference to use American Indian due to the historic interactions, treaty, and legal documents that use "American Indian." Best practice, however, is to use a specific tribal name. For example, when referring to Debbie Reese, owner of the blog, it is best to say "Debbie Reese, a Nambe Pueblo Indian" rather than "American Indian" or "Native American." Being specific with respect to tribe is an educational moment, providing the reader with knowledge necessary to understand the diversity that exists within American Indian cultures, past and present.