WEBSITE RESOURCES
Indigenous Environmental Network
The Indigenous Environmental Network is an alliance of grassroots indigenous peoples whose mission is to "protect the sacredness of Mother Earth from contamination and exploitation by strengthening, maintaining and respecting the traditional teachings and the natural laws." The website, offered in both English and Spanish versions, provides news, historical summaries and updates on its various campaigns, such as biodiversity and global warming. Upcoming events are also posted, allowing an easy and immediate way to get involved.
Native Americans and the Environment
At the Native American and the Environment website, which is maintained by the National Council for Science and the Environment, you will find thousands of Internet and published resources. This non-profit project has three goals: to educate the public on environmental problems in Native American communities; to explore the values and historical experiences that Native Americans bring to bear on environmental issues; and to promote conservation measures that respect Native American land and resource rights. Case studies, articles, histories and educational resources that cover the spectrum of issues concerning Native Americans and the environment are available.
National Park Service (NPS)
The National Park Service preserves the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education and inspiration of present and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world. Explore America's cultural resources -- buildings, landscapes, archeological sites, ethnographic resources, objects and documents, structures and districts. Learn about the NPS's current efforts and programs regarding land preservation and historic education.
National Religious Partnerships for the Environment
The National Religious Partnership for the Environment is a formal alliance of major faith groups and denominations across the spectrum of Jewish and Christian communities in the United States. Its four founding partners include: The U.S. Catholic Conference, the National Council of Churches of Christ, the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life and the Evangelical Environmental Network. The Partnership is integrating care for environment throughout religious life: theology, worship, social teaching, education, congregational life and public policy initiative.
Sacred Sites International
Advocates the preservation of natural and man-made sacred places. Sacred Sites International believes that "protecting sacred sites is key to preserving traditional cultures and time-honored values of respecting the earth." They recognize natural sites such as sacred mountains, rivers, springs, rocks and built sites like shrines, temples and other houses of worship. The website includes descriptions of their preservation efforts currently under way.
BOOKS
Fiction for Adults and Young Adults
Skilled writers like the late Michael Dorris, Louise Erdrich, Barbara Kingsolver, Leslie Marmon Silko, and James Welch have made the
experiences of Native Americans every bit as much a part of "American" literature as the experiences of Jewish American, Italian Americans, and African Americans. Novels exploring the complexities and diversity of Native Americanlife include:
Doane, Michael. Bullet Heart. New York: Knopf, 1994.
Dorris, Michael. A Yellow Raft in Blue Water. New York: Holt, 1987.
Erdrich, Louise. Love Medicine. New York: Bantam, 1984.
Hillerman, Tony. Skinwalkers. New York: HarperCollins, 1987.
Silko, Leslie Marmon. Almanac of the Dead. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1991.
Welch, James. Winter in the Blood. New York: Penguin, 1974.
Nonfiction for Adults and Young Adults
The Brown and Josephy histories are classics. Momaday describes his Kowa heritage, while Deloria addresses the philosophical divide between Native and non-Native Americans.
Brown, Dee. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West. New York: Holt, 1971.
Deloria, Vine, Jr. Red Earth, White Lies: Native Americans and the Myth of Scientific Fact. Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publicatioins, c. 1997.
Josephy, Alvin M. Now That the Buffalo's Gone. New York: Knopf, 1982.
Momaday, N. Scott. The Way to Rainy Mountain. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press, 1969.