Focus on Native Americans

Fall 1997, 97-04

http:/indy4.fdl.cc.mn.us/~oyate: Oyate is a Native American organization that evaluates texts, resource materials, and fiction by and about Native Americans. It conducts teacher workshops in which participants learn to evaluate children's material for anti-Indian biases; administers a small resource center and library; and distributes children's, young adult, and teachers books and materials, with an emphasis on writing and illustrations by Native Americans.; An annotated catalog is available from Oyate at 2702 Mathews Street, Berkeley, CA 94702, (510) 848-6700. The catalog includes a listing of do's and don'ts for teaching respect for native people. A few examples are 1) do present native people as appropriate role models with whom a native child can identify, 2) do look for books and materials written and illustrated by native people, 3) do present native people as separate from each other, with unique cultures, languages, spiritual beliefs, and dress, 4) do teach native history as a regular part of American history, 5) don't use ABC books that have "I is for Indian" or "E is for Eskimo," or counting books that count "Indians," 6) don't use books that show native people as savages, primitive craftspeople, or simple tribal people now extinct, and 7) don't use story books that show non-native children "playing Indians," or picture books by non-native authors that show animals dressed as "Indians."

http://www.ipl.org/ref/native: The Internet Public Library (IPL) from the University of Michigan School of Information lists more than four hundred contemporary Native American authors. It provides bibliographies of their published works, biographical information, and links to online resources including interviews, online texts, and tribal websites. It is searchable by author, book title, or tribal affiliation.

http://www.ipl.org/ref/native/biblio2.html: A bibliography of Native American literature resources in print used in the production of the previously listed site. Arranged alphabetically, it can be used for further readings on Native American literature.

http://www.narf.org/index.htm: Legal resources dealing with preservation of tribal existence, protection of tribal natural resources, promotion of human rights, accountability of governments, and development of Indian law. Three education laws (federal, state, and tribal) are available for viewing and downloading. Included is a one-page factsheet about the National Indian Law Library (NILL). The library has thousands of pleadings and opinions from almost every major Indian law case since 1950. It also houses the only comprehensive lending collection of past and present tribal government documents and law-related documents. Access to contents is provided through an in-house computerized database. It is searchable by author, title, and subject, as well as tribe involved, jurisdiction, judges, attorneys, parties to the lawsuit, citation, and docket number. NILL's address is 1522 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302; phone: (303) 447-8760.

http://www.hud.gov/native.html: The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) website contains News for Native Americans. This site provides information on HUD programs that award funds to Native Americans for shelter and housing grants; lists consumer aids; and links to related sites. Through this site, one can also access U.S. Department of Labor programs and obtain information about the Job Training Partnership Act.

Updated December 31, 2002