Native American & Indigenous Heritage Month
In November, the Sonoma County Library celebrates National Native American Heritage Month. This month is “a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people.1 ” We join thousands of libraries, schools and local governments in paying tribute to the ancestry and traditions of Native Americans / Indigenous Peoples.
Books, Collections, and Resources
We invite you to check out a wide variety of books written by, for, and about Native American and Indigenous peoples at your local library.
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.
Book Lists
- English
- Spanish
Dial-a-Story
Call (707) 755-2050 to listen to children’s librarians reading storybooks in both English and Spanish. This month includes:
11/15/2023: We Are Water Protectors - Somos guardianes del agua
Library Events
Everyone is invited to attend free library events and workshops. Registration required for select events.
Cultural Knowledge Sharing
Clint McKay shares his knowledge of the land, people, traditions, and history imparted to him by the ancestors.
Sunday, November 5 at 2:00 pm
Sonoma Valley Library
Saturday, December 9 at 2:00 pm
Sebastopol Library
Virtual Author Talk with Joy Harjo
Former U.S. Poet Laureate and
Writer of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation
Thursday, November 16th at 1:00 pm
Pre-Register online
The Cloud Artist - Merisha Sequoia Clark
Join illustrator Merisha Sequoia Clark as she reads, The Cloud Artist, explains the process of illustration, and shares Choctaw history. Kids will have the opportunity to ask questions and create a cloud craft. For ages 4-11.
Tuesday, December 5, 6:00 pm
Rincon Valley Library
Saturday, December 16, 11:00 am
Northwest Library
Friday January 12, 10:30 am
Roseland Library
Sunday, February 18, 3:00 pm
Central Library
Local Indigenous Communities
In celebrating National Native American Heritage Month, Sonoma County Library honors native and indigenous peoples past, present and future. We express our respect for local communities including the Miwok, Wappo, Wintun, Pomo, and Patwin; as well as indigenous people from across the world who now make Sonoma County their home. We are grateful for the opportunity to learn from traditional forms of knowledge and share with one another.
For more information about local tribes and community partners, 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)