Native American and Indigenous Peoples' Month
November is Native American and Indigenous Peoples' Month, “a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories, and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people”. 1
In celebrating Native American and Indigenous Peoples' Month, Sonoma County Library honors the past, present, and future.
We express our respect for local tribes including the Miwok, Wappo, Wintun, Pomo, and Patwin, as well as Indigenous Peoples from across the world who now make Sonoma County their home.
Join the celebration and explore our events, books, and more below!
Local Artist Nicole Martinez Jones
This year we are thrilled to feature the artwork of Nicole Martinez Jones, a local Southern Pomo artist, in celebration of Native American & Indigenous Peoples’ Month. Jones is a Sonoma County-based illustrator known for her whimsical drawings focused on local flora and fauna. Learn more on Instagram @NicoleMartinezIllustration
Books and More **
Check out our librarian-recommended reads:
Your Sonoma County Library Card also grants you access to both the Lake County Native American Collection and the Mendocino First American Collection. Click here to browse both collections.
Events and Activities
Everyone is invited to attend free library events and workshops.
* Registration required for select events.
Virtual Author Talk: Meet Jo Jo Makoons with author Dawn Quigley
Wednesday, November 6, 10:30am
Jo Jo Makoons Azure is a spirited 7-year-old who moves through the world a little differently than anyone else on her Ojibwe reservation. Learn all about Jo Jo from author Dawn Quigley as she shares her writing experience and what it was like for her to grow up Ojibwe, in this virtual author talk. Grades 1-5.
Author Talk with Sara Calvosa Olson
Sunday, November 10, 2-3:30 pm
Rincon Valley Regional Library
Begin your journey toward a decolonized diet and reimagine California foods with Sara Calvosa Olson! Olson (Karuk) will discuss her book, Chími Nu’am: Native California Foodways for the Contemporary Kitchen, followed by a Q&A, food tasting, and book signing.
Virtual Author Talk: A Navajo Investigator’s Search for the Unexplained
Thursday, November 7, 4:00 pm
Join us for a conversation with Navajo Ranger Stanley Milford, Jr., who will discuss his chilling and clear-eyed memoir of investigations into bizarre cases of the paranormal and the unexplained in Navajoland.
Virtual Author Talk: Native Rights and Culture in Fiction with Mona Susan Power
Wednesday, November 20, 4:00 pm
This conversation highlights how Mona Susan Power’s (Standing Rock Sioux Tribe) work explores Native Rights and Native American culture, using an important symbol that anchors comfort and companionship in Native life: dolls.
Teen Accordion Art Book Workshop
Thursday, November 7, 4:00 pm
Rohnert Park Cotati Library
Friday, November 8, at 4:00 pm
Sebastopol Library
Wednesday, November 13, 4:30 pm
Central Santa Rosa Library
Make your own accordion-style art book with local artist Amanda Ayala, who will discuss the history of these books as crafted by Indigenous Peoples in the Americas. All materials provided. Grades 7-12.
Tuesday, November 26, 6:00 pm
Join librarians online to discuss books by authors who are Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color. This month’s book is Murder on the Red River by Marcie R. Rendon.
Senderos: The Wappo in Wilikos
Saturday, November 9, 9:15 am -1:15 pm
Northwest Santa Rosa Library
Visit Sugarloaf Ridge State Park for a family walk (in Spanish) that highlights the stories and traditions of the Wappo people. This event is a collaboration between the Sonoma County Library and Sonoma Ecology Center. Free transportation provided, leaving from the Northwest Santa Rosa Library.
Call (707) 755-2050 to listen to a recording of your children’s librarians reading storybooks in both English and Spanish. This month’s titles include books about Native Americans, Indigenous Peoples, and more.
Local Indigenous Communities
For more information about local tribes and community organizations, please see:
- Cloverdale Rancheria of Pomo Indians
- Dry Creek Band of Pomo Indians
- Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria
- Kashia Band of Pomo Indians of Stewarts Point Rancheria
- Koi Nation of Northern California
- Lytton Band of Pomo Indians
- Southern Patwin and Wappo tribes
- Redbud Resource Group
- California Indian Museum and Cultural Center
- Sonoma County Indian Health Project
- Native Land map
1As described by the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
** The books listed here may at times not refer to Indigenous Peoples or Native Americans in terminology that is considered culturally appropriate or sensitive. Please see Outdated Language in our Library Catalog for more information about how Sonoma County Library handles such terminology.
