#NativeReads: Outcomes of an Oceti Sakowin Survey and Literary Recovery Model

Abstract:This article provides a brief overview of Oceti Sakowin literary history along with knowledge and insights gained from a national reading campaign called #NativeReads: Great Books from Indigenous Communities-Stories of the Oceti Sakowin. Specifically, this campaign utilized a community-based approach to understand access barriers to Oceti Sakowin literatures and develop an evaluation framework to recommend ten key books as foundational and critical to understanding the Oceti Sakowin Oyate. By detailing the methods and process used through #NativeReads, other tribal nations and communities can use a similar approach to reclaim control of their creative assets and increase awareness of their literary traditions. These types of education models are integral to provide educators and the general public with the resources they need to learn and teach appropriately about Indigenous cultures and incorporate Indigenous voices and stories in public education settings.