Suggested Reading on Native American Spirituality

One of my subscribers asked for a suggested reading list to help gain more insight into Native American spirituality and I am happy to oblige.

I have one caveat, however:  Indigenous spirituality cannot truly be understood intellectually.  It is based in the heart and the body and communicating with the natural world.    I strongly recommend following the practices I share in my posts, particularly those that involve communication with nature.   The reading will be a nice supplement to that.

This is a list of some of my favorites:

Blogs

www.WhiteBison.org – log onto the Meditations tab to subscribe to their daily Elder Meditations.   Excellent.

Non-Fiction

“The Wind Is My Mother; The Life and Teachings of a Native American Shaman” by Bear Heart and Molly Larkin

“Wisdomkeepers: Meetings with Native American Spiritual Elders” by Steve Wall and Harvey Arden

“To Become a Human Being: The Message of Tadodaho Chief Leon Shenandoah” by Steve Wall

“Indian Givers: How Native Americans Transformed the World” by Jack Weatherford

“Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small” by Ted Andrews

“Nature-Speak: Signs, Omens and Messages in Nature” by Ted Andrews

“Black Elk: The Sacred Ways of a Lakota” by Wallace Black Elk and William S. Lyon

“Buffalo Woman Comes Singing: The Spirit Song of a Rainbow Medicine Woman” by Brooke Medicine Eagle

“Black Elk Speaks: Being the Life Story of a Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux, The Premier Edition” by John G. Neihardt

“The Sacred Pipe: Black Elk’s Account of the Seven Rites of the Oglala Sioux (Civilization of the American Indian Series, Vol. 36)” by Joseph Epes  Brown

“The Medicine Wheel: Earth Astrology” by Sun Bear and Wabun

“The Vision Keepers: Walking for Native Americans and the Earth” by Doug Alderson.  Good insight into Native American ceremonies and the modern day struggles of Native Americans with alcoholism, poverty and attempting to preserve their traditional values.

Fiction

These books are entertaining while sharing authentic glimpses into Native American life

“Winona’s Web: A Novel of Discovery” by Priscilla Cogan [this was a favorite of Bear Heart’s due to it’s accurate depiction of Native American philosophy and ceremony]

“Seminole Freedom” by Doug Alderson

“The Way I Was Taught” by Glenn Schiffman