"An accessible and educational illustrated book profiling 50 notable American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people, from NBA star Kyrie Irving of the Standing Rock Lakota to Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation"-- - (Baker & Taylor)

Perfect for readers of all ages, this celebration of lives, stories and contributions of 50 notable Native American people highlights the vital impact indigenous dreamers and leaders have made on the world. - (Baker & Taylor)

An accessible and educational illustrated book profiling 50 notable American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian people, from NBA star Kyrie Irving of the Standing Rock Lakota to Wilma Mankiller, the first female principal chief of the Cherokee Nation

An American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Young Adult Honor Book!

Celebrate the lives, stories, and contributions of Indigenous artists, activists, scientists, athletes, and other changemakers in this beautifully illustrated collection. From luminaries of the past, like nineteenth-century sculptor Edmonia Lewis—the first Black and Native American female artist to achieve international fame—to contemporary figures like linguist jessie little doe baird, who revived the Wampanoag language, Notable Native People highlights the vital impact Indigenous dreamers and leaders have made on the world.

This powerful and informative collection also offers accessible primers on important Indigenous issues, from the legacy of colonialism and cultural appropriation to food sovereignty, land and water rights, and more. An indispensable read for people of all backgrounds seeking to learn about Native American heritage, histories, and cultures, Notable Native People will educate and inspire readers of all ages. - (Random House, Inc.)

Adrienne Keene is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, an assistant professor of American studies and ethnic studies at Brown University, and holds a doctorate in culture, communities, and education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She cohosts the podcast All My Relations and is the longtime author of Native Appropriations, a blog discussing representations of Native peoples in popular culture. Her writing has appeared in such outlets as Teen Vogue, the New York Times, Stanford Magazine, and Indian Country Today, and she has appeared on NPR, CBC, Al Jazeera, PBS, BuzzFeed, and Slate's Represent podcast.

Ciara Sana is a Chamoru artist currently based in Bellingham, Washington, but grew up in Guam, where she was surrounded by a mix of Indigenous Chamoru culture and people from all over the Pacific islands, Asia, and the U.S. mainland. Ciara’s art is deeply rooted in her culture and inspired by all the different styles and flavors found on the beautiful island. The goal of her work is to empower and uplift others, celebrate differences, and encourage love. - (Random House, Inc.)

Booklist Reviews

This is a well-composed, highly readable introduction to significant Native people. Noting that telling the stories of Native American, Kanaka Maoli (Hawai'ian), and Alaska Native peoples is important decolonial work, this volume distributes its 50 entries across these 3 groups, including a balance of gender identities, ages, locations, tribal affiliations, and work. Entries are two pages long, beginning with a full-page, color portrait of the subject. Covering people from Sequoyah (1770–1843), who created the Cherokee Syllabary, to Bobbi Jean Three Legs (born 1992), Standing Rock Lakota and Cheyenne Lakota activist, the entries serve to inform readers, while broadening their knowledge of and appreciation for the myriad ways in which Native populations work to ensure rights for their people, protect the environment, and preserve their heritage. Other essays run from two to four pages, and cover issues like settler colonialism, how tribal citizenship is determined, and current issues in Indian Country. The approachable writing style and pictorial elements make this suitable for inclusion in middle- and high-school libraries, as well as public and community college collections. Copyright 2021 Booklist Reviews.

Library Journal Reviews

Keene (Cherokee; American studies and ethnic studies, Brown Univ.) celebrates 50 noteworthy Native American, Alaska Native, and Kanaka Maoli people, urging readers to look beyond persistent stereotypical messages about Indigenous cultures and explore the harmful consequences of settler colonialism. Keene profiles mostly living individuals, of varying ages, gender identities, and tribal affiliations, including environmental justice organizer and artist Jihan Gearon (Diné and Black); athlete Nick Hanson (Inupiaq); cultural educator Earl Kawa'a (Kanaka Maoli); seed keeper Rowen White (Akwesasne Mohawk); and teacher and culture keeper Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu (Kanaka Maoli). Portraits of the subjects, illustrated by Sana (Chamoru), are enlivened by rich colors and bold graphics. VERDICT Bright and appealing yet never simplistic, this is a strong addition for every library.