Celebrate Native Heritage Month

This November is Native Heritage Month, and there’s a myriad ways you can celebrate at the Los Angeles Public Library through its special programs and events, collections, and more. Featuring Native American dancers and storytellers, film screenings, craft sessions, displays of Native American themed literature, and more, here are a few of the highlights you can check out across the city.

 

Photo Collection:
The Los Angeles Public Library’s project “Shades of L.A.: A Search for Visual Ethnic History,” involved copying thousands of family photographs throughout Los Angeles, thereby broadening the Photo Collection’s representation of ethnicities within the city. Browse the collection of Native American photos here.

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American
Indian ‘grass dancer’ at 22nd Annual Powwow at Cal-State Long Beach, held March 14 and 15, 1992.


Oral Histories:

As part of the Los Angeles Public Library’s “Shades of L.A.: A Search for Visual Ethnic History,” interviews were recorded with subjects to comprise a collection of oral histories. Listen to the Glenda Ahhaitty (Native American) histories here.

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A dance performance for American Indian employees of Los Angeles County at the County Health Department auditorium. The dancers include, from left, Glen, Shannon, Walter and Daron.

 

Books:
Click here for the Library’s recommended picture books, fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels for children for Native American Heritage Month.
Book Jacket for: Arrow to the sun : a Pueblo Indian tale


Programs and Events:

storyteller with drum

Native American Stories with Geri Keams

Saturday, November 14, 2:00 pm
Pico Union Branch Library
Kids and Families, celebrate Native American Heritage Month with a performance of Native American folk tales by Navajo actress, author and storyteller Geri Keams. Geri Keams is a resident performing artist for the Los Angeles Music Center, has been a featured performer at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the National Storytelling Festival, and the Smithsonian Institute, and authored the books Grandmother Spider Brings the Sun and Snail Girl Brings Water.

Tuesday, November 17, 6:30 pm
Silver Lake Branch Library
Storyteller Geri Keams will share traditional Native American stories and drumming in honor of Native American Heritage Month.  All ages welcome!

 

Native American Films–Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
Monday, November 16, 3:30-5:30 pm
Granada Hills Branch Library
Focuses on the tragedies that befall the Lakota tribes, including the massacre at Wounded Knee in 1890.


Apache Dance
Tuesday, November 17, 4:00-5:00 pm
Encino – Tarzana Branch Library
Celebrate and learn about Apache culture and heritage with Brian Brightcloud. For kids.

Native American Medicine Bags for Teens
Wednesday, November 18, 4:00-5:00 pm
Exposition Park – Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Library
In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, find out about the history and significance of medicine bags and make your own with beads, feathers, and more.


Chumash Legends
Thursday, November 19, 3:30 pm
Woodland Hills Branch Library
Topanga Canyon is the meeting place of the Gabrieleno and the Chumash. Celebrate our local heritage with Flights of Fantasy as they present a Chumash legend. For kids.


Native American Heritage Month Storytime and Craft
Thursday, November 19, 4:00-5:00 pm
Exposition Park – Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Library
Join us for traditional American Indian folktales and a craft to take home! For kids.


FAMILY PROGRAM: Native American Tribal Dance and Culture with Ben Hale
Saturday, November 21, 2:00-3:00 pm
Central Library, Mark Taper Auditorium
In brilliant, authentic regalia, Ben Hale, a member of the Navajo tribe from Arizona, introduces a variety of dances and stories from tribes across North America.

 

 

Check out the Library’s full calendar of Native American Month events here.

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