This week I am so excited to share two books that represent counter narratives, explore stereotypes and race. The importance of these books go beyond, “it is a cute book”. These books allow the reader to see themselves and explore cultures and experiences they may be unfamiliar with.
Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story written by Kevin Noble Maillard and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal is a moving story about Indigenous people and their traditions tied to fry bread. I especially liked this book because it is a modern story about Indigenous people’s heritage. When I was in elementary school, we learned about Indigenous people as Indians. A lot of the stories I recall were folk tales, magic, feathers and hunting. I love how real and authentic this book is and still tells the tradition and heritage of Indigenous people.
Kevin Maillard is a member of the Seminole Nation, Mekusukey band, making his text personal and authentic. In his author’s note he states, “Most Native families have a fry bread lady, usually a grandmother or an old aunt who holds a special recipe that she passes on to her female successor… But oce Aunt Maggie started to burn the fry, I took over”. Fry bread became Kevin’s job, which reveals how meaningful and impactful this story was to share for him. The United States has/and continues to weaken Indigenous governments and undermine tribal authority. Native nations exist, they are not a past history. The Indian culture has proven itself resilient in times of persecution. They were able to adapt to unfamiliar lands and keep traditions alive. By having a modern and authentic text that centers around Indigenous culture and uses present tense verbs and language, allows the reader to see a culture that is still present and thriving today.
The illustrations done by Juana Martinez-Neal in Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story, were so fitting to the theme of coming together and tradition set up by Maillard’s words. In each image, you can see a group of people with various races, age, and heritage coming together to create fry bread. Fry bread has more meaning than just food, which the reader can see through the illustrations Juana has created. The sense of joy and love that pops out of the pictures is enchanting.
Critical Indigenous Literacies: Selecting and Using Children’s Books about Indigenous Peoples by Debbie Reese. Here are a few quotes that stood out to me while reading this article.
“For example, our creation stories are just as sacred to us as Genesis is to Christians; we do not view them as folktales. When opening many library catalogs, however, The Story of the Milky Way: A Cherokee Tale by Joseph Bruchac and Gayle Ross (1995) is likely to appear under “Cherokee Indians—Folklore.” Beaver Steals Fire: A Salish Coyote Story by the staff of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe (2005) is most likely categorized as “Salish Indians—Folklore.” In fact, both are religious stories explaining some aspect of how the world was created” (390).
“Despite efforts by Native people to get their stories accurately categorized, there has been little or no movement, which raises critical questions: Whose voice is not heard in the way that stories are categorized? Whose ideologies are implicitly valued by categorical labels?” (390).
“Another problem is the “myths, legends, and folktales” books that are marketed as Native. They are ubiquitous and mostly written by people who are not, themselves, Native. These authors may not have the knowledge needed to accurately depict aspects of Native traditions, some of which are part of our religious dances” (390).
“This is a way to acknowledge and honor the stories behind the curtain—those that are purposefully kept within Native communities. Native communities resisted historical oppression and continue to preserve our culture by cultivating our ways in private spaces—behind the curtain. While Native people share some of our ways publicly in the present day, there is a great deal that we continue to protect from outsiders. Furthermore, it conveys the importance of how #OwnVoices knows what belongs within the community and what knowledge can be shared outside of our communities” (390-391).
Use present tense verbs to talk about Native Nations.
Choose books by Native writers.
Choose books that are tribally specific.
Use books by Native writers all year round.
Kevin Noble Maillard
Website:https://www.kevinmaillard.com/
Fry Bread Awards:
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, is awarded annually to the writer and illustrator of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the preceding year.
The AILA American Indian Youth Literature Awards identifies and honors the very best writing and illustrations by Native Americans and Indigenous peoples of North America.
Juana Martinez-Neal
Video of Juana Drawing Alma
How to Make Fry Bread
Can I Touch Your Hair?: Poems of Race, Mistakes and Friendship written by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, and illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko takes a person approach when talking about race. Latham and Waters are both taking personal experiences and feelings surrounding race by using the two main characters in the book as an outlet for their voices. They both explore racism, in the lense of both the target and the oppressor. Through poems, Water and Latham are able to create real and authentic scenarios where children are often biased, judgemental, or confused due to peer pressure or pre-existing knowledge of race. I really enjoyed this book being told through poems. For me, I viewed this style of writing as the author's thoughts being put onto paper in a way. Both Irene and Charles are able to see each other as individuals, “vegans, horseback riders, readers. We share hurts like being left out at recess and getting into trouble with our parents. Sometimes we say the wrong things, sometimes we misunderstand. Now we listen, we ask questions. We are so much more than black and white” (36).
I also think, just like Fry Bread, the modern take on this story with the concept of racism, shows students that this is not past history. People all over the world still experience hate, injustice treatment, and violence due to the color of their skin. I think this story brings forward a discussion that is hard for people to talk about. Believing racism and bias towards specific groups is a thing of the past is dangerous in its own natures. Having these conversations about race, misunderstandings and breaking stereotypes is STILL important to talk about even today.
One poem that grabbed my attention was on page 22, called FORGIVENESS. We are first introduced to the character “Ghost” or Paul on page 18, when Charles tries to introduce himself. However, “Ghost” tells him that his name is Paul, which makes Charles realize he does not want to be friends with a black boy. Fast forward to page 22 and we see Paul call out to Charles. At first Charles recalls times where Paul has accused him of, “trying to act white” because he gets good grades and speaks with correct grammar. But to Charles' surprise, Paul wanted to apologize for what he said because he realized that what he said was pushing stereotypes onto Charles.
The sayings, “you act white”, “you talk white”, “you’re not black enough”, etc. are harmful and toxic. Saying these phrases can have negative effects on one's self worth, self perception and identity. Having conversations about stereotypes and the problems they cause can help people realize how not everyone fits into a box. Everyone has their own way of living and being, which makes everyone their own person.
This poem reminded me of two poems in another book Irene and Charles have written called, A-Z: A Dictionary for a Better World. These two poems explore belonging and empathy, which relates to the poem above.
Irene Latham
Charles Waters
Selina Alko
Sean Qualls
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