We Are Still Here!: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know
1 Hardcover/1 CD

A full cast of Cherokee, Navajo, Choctaw, and Chickasaw narrators deliver a moving audiobook companion to an informative picture book. Listeners hear an introductory history of Native Nations in North America, and then a bustling classroom preparing for their Indigenous Peoples' Day assembly. Twelve students recite brief presentations in youthful voices as sound effects and music evoke the bright illustrations. Listeners learn of the impact of policies enforced since the U.S. stopped making treaties with tribal governments and how Native Nations have asserted their rights and sovereignty since. Each presentation ends with a chorus of voices proudly declaring: "We are still here." Multiple voices narrate detailed backmatter with further details on the students' topics, descriptions of images, a timeline of events, and a note read by the author.

A companion to We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, this illustrated nonfiction book covers 12 topics explaining past and present laws and policies of the U.S. Government toward Native peoples of the United States. Using the framework of a live presentation for Indigenous People’s Day, each topic is narrated by a young member of a tribal Nation who explains what the government policies are or were and how they affected the indigenous people then and now. Their clear and convincing young voices develop the subject matter in a confident and accomplished manner, while a background of flute music, rattles, bells, chants, and singing provides authenticity and atmosphere. A chorus of all the narrators concludes and powerfully reinforces each section, saying: “We Are Still Here.” Topics discussed are still relevant today: (e.g. assimilation, relocation, tribal activism, Indian Child Welfare, and education). Use this with the print book to see illustrations giving historical perspective. Back matter includes a glossary and an author’s note. This is a useful introduction for younger readers interested in learning about the past and present realities of Indigenous peoples.