Chicago Public Library’s Native and Indigenous Allies Committee invite all to learn about and celebrate our Native and Indigenous neighbors in Chicago, the Midwest and all over. Join CPL as we celebrate Native and Indigenous peoples here now, here always.
Land Acknowledgement
The City of Chicago is located on the land that is and has long been a center for Native peoples. The area is the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe, or the Council of the Three Fires: Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations. Many other Nations consider this area their traditional homeland, including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo, and Mascouten. The City specifically acknowledges the contributions of Kitihawa of the Potawatomi in fostering the community that has become Chicago. We acknowledge all Native peoples who came before us and who continue to contribute to our city. We are committed to promoting Native cultural heritage.
Events
All are invited to attend events throughout CPL locations in addition to events for this season’s One Book, One Chicago selection, There There by Tommy Orange.
Featured Events
Voices for Justice: 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo, Muscogee (Creek) Nation
6 p.m. Wednesday, November 29
Harold Washington Library Center
Learn Cherokee With Mango Languages
6:30 p.m. Tuesday, November 07
Online, registration required
Let's Talk About Music: Elisapie
6:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 15
Online, registration required
Kids and Families
Storyteller Mama Edie Celebrates Native American Heritage
4 p.m. Thursday, November 16
Wrightwood-Ashburn Branch
Cereal Killers: Tween Cooking Club (Making Fry Bread)
2 p.m. Saturday, November 25
Avalon Branch
Adult Book Discussions
The Seed Keeper by Diane Wilson
6 p.m. Tuesday, November 14
Lozano Branch
Killers of the Flower Moon
6 p.m. Wednesday, November 15
Avalon Branch
Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo
11:30 a.m. Thursday, November 16
This event takes place by phone and especially welcomes patrons with print disabilities. To register, please call (312) 747-4001.
The Road Back to Sweetgrass by Linda LeGarde Grover
11 a.m. Saturday, November 18
Harold Washington Library Center
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
1 p.m. Saturday, November 18
Uptown Branch
Film Screenings
First Nations Film and Video Festival
1 p.m. Saturday, November 4
Humboldt Park Branch
Indian Horse (2017)
1 p.m. Saturday, November 11
West Chicago Avenue Branch
Slash/Back (2022)
5 p.m. Thursday, November 16
West Chicago Avenue Branch
Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World (2017)
2 p.m. Friday, November 17
Harold Washington Library Center
Short Film: Native American Heritage Documentaries
1 p.m. Saturday, November 18
West Pullman Branch
Coloring Page
Print the Native American Heritage Month coloring page by Caitlin Newago, Bad River Ojibwe Mixed Media Artist.
Caitlin Newago is a mother, artist and tribal member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. Founded in 2016, Caitlin Newago started Bizaanide’ewin at only 21 years old. An artist from birth, she has dabbled in many mediums throughout her life. Learning this craft at only 8 years old, she is also a beader, and incorporates that knowledge into her work. Currently, she is focusing on modernizing traditional Ojibwe designs in digital art. She also uses wiigwaas (birchbark) and porcupine quills as a way to reconnect with her Anishinaabe culture and learn more of her traditions. She hopes to share this knowledge and is actively searching for opportunities to do so. Creating these pieces and reconnecting with her passion for art has been a vital part of her healing journey. She hopes she can promote this healing and connect with and uplift other survivors in the process. Bizaanide’ewin is an Ojibwe word, meaning peace of heart. This word very clearly illustrates the purpose and mission of Caitlin’s work. The intergenerational trauma within Native communities is ravaging the traditional ways of life. In her own journey, she is addressing these traumas and working to break the cycle- leading to peace of heart not only within herself, but those around her and impacted by her work. Caitlin is growing primarily via online presences on numerous social media platforms, but also is becoming more involved in community events.
