Celebrate Native American Heritage Month 2025

The Native and Indigenous Allies Committee of the Chicago Public Library invite all to celebrate Native and Indigenous peoples. This year, we celebrate All Together Now, uplifting the joys of being in community with one another in all seasons.

All are invited to attend programs throughout Chicago Public Library locations.

Land Acknowledgement

The City of Chicago is located on the land that is and has long been a center for Native peoples. The area is the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe, or the Council of the Three Fires: Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi Nations. Many other Nations consider this area their traditional homeland, including the Myaamia, Ho-Chunk, Menominee, Sac and Fox, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Wea, Kickapoo, and Mascouten. We acknowledge all Native peoples who came before us and who continue to contribute to our city. We are committed to promoting Native cultural heritage.

The Chicago Public Library’s Native and Indigenous Allies Committee invites all to learn about and celebrate our Native and Indigenous neighbors in Chicago, the Midwest, and all over.

Events

Book Discussions

The Rediscovery of America by Ned Blackhawk
Saturday, November 1, 1:00pm
Harold Washington Library Center

The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
Thursday, Nov. 18, 6:00pm
Back of the Yards Branch

Poet Warrior by Joy Harjo
Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:30pm
Hegewisch Branch

There There by Tommy Orange
Saturday, Nov. 15, 10:30am
Lozano Branch
Meetup at Bittersweet Pilsen

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
Monday, Nov. 24, 6:00pm
Chinatown Branch

Ceremony by Leslie Morom Silko
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 6:30pm
Richard J Daley-Bridgeport Branch

Programs for Kids and Families

Clay Pinch Pots Craft
Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 6:00pm
Lozano Branch

Destination Discovery Story Time at the Field Museum
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 11:00am
Online (Registration is required.)
In-Person: Field Museum, Pawnee Earth Lodge

Xochilt-Quetzal Danza Azteca, Honoring Indigenous People of Ancient Mexico
Saturday, November 8, 2:00pm
Little Village Branch
Sunday, November 16, 2:00pm
Budlong Woods Branch

Chief Eagle, Lakota Artist & Hoop Dance Extraordinaire
Friday, November 21, 1:00pm
Lozano Branch
Sunday, November 16, 2:00pm
Near North Branch
Tuesday, November 18, 6:00pm
Back of the Yards Branch

Weaving Traditions: Loom Workshop, Ages 6+
Monday, November 3, 3:30pm, West Chicago Avenue Branch
Monday, November 3, 4:00pm, West Pullman Branch
Thursday, November 6, 3:00pm, Little Village Branch
Saturday, November 8, 2:00pm, Daley. Richard J. Bridgeport
Tuesday, November 11, 4:30pm, Independence Branch
Wednesday, November 12, 6:00pm, South Chicago Branch
Thursday, November 13, 4:00pm, Sherman Park Branch
Monday, November 17, 4:30pm, Woodson Regional Library
Tuesday, November 18, 4:30pm, Austin-Irving Branch
Tuesday, November 25, 4:00pm, McKinley Park Branch
Thursday, November 20, 6:00pm, Mount Greenwood Branch
Tuesday, November 25, 5:00pm, Scottsdale
Wednesday, November 26, 1:00pm, Austin Branch

Film Screenings

Wild Indian (2021)
NR, 90 minutes
Friday, October 31, 2:00pm
Harold Washington Library Center

The Ground Between Us (2021)
NR, 62 minutes
Friday, Nov. 28, 4:30pm
West Englewood Branch

Native America (2018)
NR, 220 minutes
Saturday, Nov. 8, 2:30pm
West Englewood Branch

RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World (2017)
PG, 102 minutes
Sunday, November 16, 1:30pm
Scottsdale Branch
Tuesday, Nov. 25, 6:00pm
Lincoln Belmont Branch

The Journey of Sacagawea (2003)
NR, 60 minutes
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2:30pm
West Englewood Branch

We Shall Remain (2009)
NR, 89 minutes
Friday, Nov. 21, 2:30pm
West Englewood Branch

Smoke Signals (1998)
PG-13, 89 minutes
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 10:30am
McKinley Park Branch
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 1:00pm
Austin Branch
Sunday, Nov. 9, 1:30pm
Scottsdale Branch
Friday, Nov. 14, 10am
Back of the Yards Branch
Sunday, Nov. 16, 1:00pm
West Chicago Avenue Branch

Hunting in Wartime (2015)
NR, 66 minutes
Tuesday, Nov. 11,1:00pm
Vodak-Eastside Branch

Coloring Sheet

Print our coloring sheet, Anishinaabek Land Token (Chicago), by Chicago-based artist David Bernie

Reading Recommendations

Native American Heritage Month Reads for Kids
Native American Heritage Month Reads for Teens
Native American Heritage Month Reads for Adults