Native Americans are proud of their heritage. Their own history was preserved through the spoken word throughout the generations. With the advent of writing in their culture, storytellers began to preserve these stories with the written word and now the whole world can share in their history. Incidentally, many Native American authors do not copyright their work because they believe the whole tribe owns the story.
Gertrude Simmons Bonnin: biography and more information on Gertrude Simmons Bonnin
Joseph Bruchac: this site offers free video and audio files and a link to his events.
Chief Seattle: pictures and information on this important leader of the Puget Sound Indians. He was known for his courage and leadership. He was a gifted orator and diplomat between the local Europeans, other local tribes, and his own tribe.
Louise Erdrich: this site talks about her inspiration for her poetry, and includes more Native American writer’s works.
Joy Harjo: the personal website of this musician, writer, and artist offers links to buy her work, a link to her blog, and a resources and FAQs page.
Christine Quintasket (Mourning Dove): biography, links, and additional information can be found at this site.
Wendy Rose: a voice for the Native American community as well as a self-professed “spy in the camp of anthropologists”. This site has much information about this poet.
Sequoyah: author of the Cherokee language system, he invented 85 symbols to capture his native language. This site also includes the museum dedicated to him.
John Trudell: a Native American Poet whose work ranges from drama to humor, he shows you the Native American culture through his eyes. This is his personal site where his work may be purchased.
James Welch: Blackfeet author and poet who was able to show life through the Native American’s perspective. This page offers his biography.
Charles Phillip White (Whitedog): an Ojibway poet. His site also gives instructive articles, such as his “16 Powow Rules” and links to other Ojibway writings.
Ray Young Bear: a Meskwaki author whose mission is to educate the world on his people’s culture. This site gives an inclusive interview with this writer.