I'm not sure who celebrates Columbus Day (my postman?), but I don't recall ever getting the day off or even doing anything "Columbus-y." Despite this, it is a federal holiday, providing a good opportunity to talk about why Columbus wasn't really that great. Here are a few findings in honor of Columbus day.
Remember all those scary Indians in Little House on the Prairie? You can find better stuff at American Indians in Children's Literature.
From her blog, I also found Oyate, a non-profit that does various things to promote respectful portrayals of Native Americans in literature and curriculum.
The American Indian Library Association (an ALA affiliate) has the American Indian Youth Services Literature Award. Speaking of ALA, the current president is a Native American woman. Go ALA.
Non-literature related: some of the Nez Perce originally lived in Oregon's Wallowa area (hence the name of the town, Joseph, after Chief Joseph) and they are engaged in an effort to return to their land and build an interpretive center. Info here.
And last but not least, information on the effort to replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day.
1 comment:
i have nothing profound to contribute, just wanted to say that i hate days when my mail does not show up for no good reason.
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