Today, we are putting the light on some great works of words by incredible Indigenous authors. From poetry to fictional thrillers, we’re positive you’ll find something aimed at your interests while supporting these Indigenous authors and their powerful works.

The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich: Edrich’s work, including The Night Watchman, is full of various National Book Awards. She based this book on her grandfather’s life, who served as a night watchmen fighting for his people in the eyes of the government. His life intersects with the others on the reservation, and Erdrich takes us through the motions of living an impoverished life through empathy, tragedy and understanding.
Empire of Wild: A Novel by Cherie Dimaline: Joan’s husband has been missing for a year, so why is she running into him at a local Walmart? And why is he insisting that he’s someone else? Of course, she is full of suspicion, and yet, nothing is ever what it seems for long.
A History of My Brief Body by Billy-Ray Belcourt: As the youngest-ever winner of the Griffin Prize, Belcourt’s collection of essays is sure to make you feel a deep connection. He covers so much within his stories, you’ll often find yourself rereading them and hanging on to new, moving themes.
When My Brother Was an Aztec by Natalie Diaz: Diaz certainly set the bar high with this captivating debut. Her book features various immersive poetry that dives into an array of emotions, focused on her brother’s journey with addiction. You may want to keep a box of tissues nearby for this one.
Sabrina & Corina: Stories by Kali Fajardo-Anstine: This collection of stories may be difficult at times, but only because they needed to be told. Each story is so different, and yet captures female power so organically.
There There by Tommy Orange: You may recognize this best-seller. Once you pick it up, you’ll never want to put it down. Orange connects the stories of 12 different Native Americans journeying to the Big Oakland Powwow. They all deal with their own life issues, but their lives are intertwined for a significant reason.
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee: Native America from 1890 to the Present by David Treuer: Treuer provides us with an in-depth American history like you’ve never heard before, and weaves it into his own memoir. The devastation is all too real, but still important to uncover and detail.
Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko: Ceremony is a must-read, having been originally published more than 40 years ago. In 2021, this novel is still popular thanks to Silko’s spirited storytelling ability. The story follows a WWII veteran who is suffering with PTSD. He faces a lot of loss and pain, but it’s also made him who he is.
Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq: This book takes place in the ’70s, in the artic lands of Nunavut. Facing the struggles and realities of the severity of the area’s nature and people, we are dragged through the tumultuous terrain of life through Tagaq’s own experience. She wrote the story based on her own personal journal entries.
Moon of the Crusted Snow: A Novel by Waubgeshig Rice: Rice grips us in an epic slow-burn thriller taking place during a post-apocalyptic reality. With a dwindled community, and being cut off, we find out just how far some people are willing to survive.