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I try my best to avoid situations that might embarrass me but I have to admit, I was honestly really embarrassed when I realized how little I knew about Native American history.
It all started with an article I came across, and it completely opened my eyes.
That one article sent me down a rabbit hole, and I found myself devouring every book and piece of writing I could find on the topic.
That experience inspired me to write this post, where I’ve listed some of the most powerful and important Native American nonfiction history books I think everyone should read.
Before you start reading, I want to give a heads-up: many of these books deal with incredibly heavy topics and deeply troubling events, like the Wounded Knee Massacre.
These aren’t light reads but they are necessary ones.
If you’re not in the right headspace right now, it’s okay to hold off.
But when you’re ready, I hope you’ll take the time to read these books, really absorb their messages, and reflect on the impact of this history.
I truly believe that governments around the world – and all of us as individuals – owe reparations and accountability to the people whose lands and lives were stolen or destroyed.
But even before that important step, we have to understand what happened, who it happened to, how it was allowed to happen, and what the aftermath was.
And these books? They’ll give you that knowledge and more.
Brethren by Nature by Margaret Ellen Newell
This book truly surprised me.
Most of us learn about slavery in America and it usually focuses on African people, but this one shows a side of history that’s rarely told – how Native Americans were also enslaved in New England.
Margaret Ellen Newell writes with care, and she uses old letters, court records, and diaries to show just how deeply slavery affected Native lives.
You learn that Native people weren’t just victims; they shaped the world around them even when enslaved – working in homes, raising children, and influencing the culture.
It’s hard to read at times, but it’s so important.
I found myself heartbroken and amazed by how strong these Native communities were, even through suffering and injustice.
Highway of Tears by Jessica McDiarmid
This one tells the real stories of Indigenous women who have gone missing or been murdered along a remote road in Canada called the Highway of Tears.
Journalist Jessica McDiarmid listens closely to the families left behind and shares their pain, anger, and love.
It’s the most heartbreaking look at how the system has failed Indigenous women.
There’s racism, neglect, and silence where there should be justice and care.
It’s a painful but powerful read that made me realize how important it is to listen to the stories that often get ignored.
Life Among the Apaches by John Carey Cremony
Reading this felt like stepping into a different time.
John Cremony lived among the Apache people for years and got to know them in a way few white men ever did.
While parts of the book reflect his own biases as a 19th-century man, you also get a close look at Apache culture – how they lived, what they valued, and how smart and resourceful they were.
It’s full of stories, some intense and some beautiful.
I loved how even though Cremony started out seeing the Apaches as wild, he came to respect their strength and knowledge.
It’s like a window into a world that’s often misunderstood.
The Wounded Knee Massacre from the Viewpoint of the Sioux by James H. McGregor
This little book is incredibly powerful because it tells the Wounded Knee story from a Sioux perspective.
It’s simple, direct, and emotional.
Joseph Black Hair’s words, shared through interpretation, will show you how behind every history we read is a real person, a real family, a real heartbreak.
I was deeply moved by how personal this account is – it doesn’t read like a textbook at all.
Instead, it feels like sitting with someone who lived through it and is finally being heard.
It’s short, but the impact is lasting.
Trail of Tears: The Rise and Fall of the Cherokee Nation by John Ehle
This is one of those books that makes you stop and think after every chapter.
The story of the Cherokee people – especially how much they tried to adapt to European ways, while hoping for peace – only to be betrayed, is deeply upsetting.
I kept asking myself, how could they have been treated this way after doing everything they thought was right?
The Trail of Tears wasn’t just a journey. It was a loss of home, safety, and dignity.
This book honors the Cherokee leaders who tried to save their people and tells their story with honesty and care.
It’s history told with heart.
Mound Builders & Cliff Dwellers by Dale Brown
This book is such a gem.
It brings ancient Native civilizations to life through beautiful pictures, diagrams, and really cool facts.
You kind of feel like a little archaeologist while reading.
I was fascinated by how these early societies built huge mounds, lived in cliffs, and created cities filled with art and science.
It’s written simply, which I loved, but it still teaches so much.
It’s perfect for younger readers too or anyone who wants to understand the richness of Native life before colonization.
It reminded me how advanced and creative Native peoples were long before European contact.
Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists by Jill Ahlberg Yohe
I loved every page of this book.
It celebrates the incredible art created by Native women – from beadwork and pottery to digital art and photography.
These women have been making beautiful things for centuries, and finally, they’re being honored.
And, I really appreciated the stories behind the art – how each piece connects to history, culture, and identity.
Spirit of the New England Tribes by William S. Simmons
If you love legends and old stories, this one is for you.
It gathers traditional tales from tribes in New England and shows how their stories have changed – and survived – over hundreds of years.
Some are magical, others are funny, and many are deeply spiritual.
I especially loved how the book doesn’t just present the stories, but also explains where they came from and what they meant to the people who told them.
It’s a quiet, thoughtful book, and it made me realize how storytelling is a way to hold on to identity, even through centuries of change.
Black Elk Speaks by John G. Neihardt
This book is so spiritual and moving.
Black Elk, a Lakota healer, tells his life story through the writer John Neihardt, and it’s full of dreams, visions, and deep wisdom.
Even though he lived through some of the hardest times for Native people, Black Elk never gave up on hope.
He believed that all people are connected, and his words are filled with a beautiful sense of peace and purpose.
Reading this felt like being let into a sacred space.
It made me think deeply about life, connection, and what it means to heal. I can’t recommend it enough.
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer
This book is like a love letter to Native resilience. I really, really loved it.
It tells the story of Native life after the Wounded Knee massacre, and it shows that Native people didn’t disappear – they adapted, resisted, and rebuilt.
David Treuer, who’s Ojibwe himself, mixes history, interviews, and even his own memories to paint a full picture.
It’s powerful because it doesn’t just talk about survival – it shows thriving, strength, and community.
For me, it broke that old idea that Native history ended in the 1800s.
Native people are still here, still fighting, and still creating beautiful futures and that’s an important narrative that needs to be passed along.
If you’re looking to understand Native American history, culture, and voices more deeply, these books are a great place to start.
I think they should be read widely, not just by people interested in history, but by anyone who cares about justice, identity, and resilience.
