Description

This engaging and educational illustrated book showcases 50 influential American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian individuals, from NBA star Kyrie Irving of the Standing Rock Lakota to Wilma Mankiller, the first woman to serve as principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.

Recognized as a Young Adult Honor Book by the American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award, this collection celebrates the lives, achievements, and lasting impact of Indigenous artists, activists, scientists, athletes, and leaders. It features historical figures such as Edmonia Lewis, a nineteenth-century sculptor and the first Black and Native American female artist to gain international recognition, as well as contemporary changemakers like linguist Jessie Little Doe Baird, who played a key role in reviving the Wampanoag language.

Alongside these inspiring profiles, the book provides accessible introductions to significant Indigenous issues, including the effects of colonialism, cultural appropriation, food sovereignty, and land and water rights. A must-read for anyone interested in Native American heritage, history, and culture, this powerful collection informs and inspires readers of all ages.