Michigan recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Day on the second Monday in October. Home to the Anishinaabe people, known as Ojibwe, Odawa, and Bodéwadmi (Potawatomi),  Michiganders can learn about Indigenous and Native culture by visiting cultural sites such as the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture & Lifeways, attending events like traditional Powwows, and learning from the Maawndoonganan: Anishinaabe Resource Manual which accompanies the Michigan Social Studies Standards. Additionally, the Michigan eLibrary (MeL) provides journals and eBooks which can help everyone become more knowledgeable and inclusive.

NoveList Plus

NoveList Plus can help libraries promote Native and Indigenous characters and authors. One available tool is a guide that provides NoveList search strategies for Exploring Books by Culture. The NoveList staff has gathered information to assist with book and author discovery in their Explore Diversity Resources page. To feature Anishinaabe authors and characters, consider books by Louise Erdrich, Robin Wall Kimmerer, Brenda Child, Carole Lindstrom, and Cynthia Leitich Smith. It is also important to know that NoveList has undertaken a project to improve subject headings that relate to Indigenous cultures.

Academic Search Complete

MeL also includes access to scholarly research across many disciplines in Academic Search Complete. Current research studies by Native and Indigenous experts on a variety of topics including history, anthropology, arts, epidemiology, cultural traditions, and Native languages, as well as book reviews, are included in full-text journals such as:

• American Indian Quarterly Peer reviewed journal from the University of Nebraska Press (1990-present)
• American Indian & Alaska Native Mental Health Research: The Journal of the National Center Peer reviewed journal from the University of Colorado Denver (2003-present)
• Tribal College: Journal of American Indian Higher Education Published quarterly by the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (2000-present)

eBook Public Library Collection

Another option to expand your community’s access Native and Indigenous characters, authors, and content is to use QR codes to share eBooks from the eBook Public Library Collection such as:

• All Our Relations: Native Struggles for Land and Life by Winona LaDuke provides cultural and historical perspective on the ongoing struggles against environmental and cultural degradation from multiple perspectives.
• The 500 Years of Indigenous Resistance Comic Book: Revised and Expanded by Gord Hill is an illustrated history of resistance and activism by Indigenous people in the Americas.

The MeL eResources provide historical context and current research from Native and Indigenous voices to all Michigan residents.

Special thanks to Angela Badke, Ojibwa Community Library and Anne Heidemann, Saginaw Chippewa Tribal Library for reading an early draft of this MeL Minute and providing helpful feedback.

If you are having any issues linking to items on this page, please explore the MeL eResource Access Page. Contact [email protected] for help.