Best Indigenous Anthologies, Essays, and Story Collections You Should Read

Indigenous authors bring unique perspectives and profound storytelling to anthologies, essays, and story collections that reflect on culture, resilience, and identity. Through essays, fiction, and personal reflections, these works offer insights into Indigenous experiences while highlighting the power of storytelling to foster connection, healing, and understanding. Here are some essential anthologies, essays, and story collections by Indigenous authors that should be on every reading list.

P.S. I recommend checking out the Indigenous Peoples Movement if you’re interested in taking direct action to support Indigenous rights and culture.

5 Anthologies, Essays, and Story Collections

A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott

In A Mind Spread Out on the Ground, Haudenosaunee writer Alicia Elliott delves into themes of mental health, colonialism, and cultural identity in a series of deeply personal essays. Drawing from her experiences as a Mohawk woman, Elliott discusses intergenerational trauma, racism, and poverty, confronting societal issues through a personal lens that’s both raw and enlightening.

You can get a copy of A Mind Spread Out on the Ground by Alicia Elliott on Amazon or Bookshop.

The Accident of Being Lost by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson

Leanne Betasamosake Simpson’s The Accident of Being Lost is a blend of poetry, short stories, and songs that presents Indigenous storytelling in an innovative and experimental style. This collection combines humor, anger, resilience, and love, offering readers an intimate glimpse into Indigenous identity, relationships, and resistance.

You can get a copy of The Accident of Being Lost by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson on Amazon or Bookshop.

The Beadworkers by Beth Piatote

Beth Piatote’s The Beadworkers is a collection of short stories and poems that celebrate Nez Perce history, language, and culture. Each story draws from the experiences of Indigenous characters navigating identity, family, and cultural survival in a modern world that often disregards Indigenous values and traditions.

You can get a copy of The Beadworkers by Beth Piatote on Amazon or Bookshop.

Never Whistle at Night Edited by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr.

Never Whistle at Night brings together some of today’s most thrilling Indigenous voices in horror and dark fiction, exploring supernatural themes rooted in Indigenous folklore and lived experiences. Edited by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst Jr., this anthology features stories by acclaimed authors like Stephen Graham Jones, Mona Susan Power, and Rebecca Roanhorse, each exploring themes of cultural trauma, revenge, and the unknown.

You can get a copy of Never Whistle at Night Edited by Shane Hawk, Theodore C. Van Alst Jr. on Amazon or Bookshop.

Thunder Song by Sasha LaPointe

In Thunder Song, Sasha LaPointe combines lyricism with personal narrative, exploring themes of cultural resilience, identity, and self-discovery. As a Coast Salish writer, LaPointe writes about her experiences as a woman reconnecting with her Indigenous heritage while navigating life in the Pacific Northwest.

You can get a copy of Thunder Song by Sasha LaPointe on Amazon or Bookshop.

Final Thoughts

These anthologies, essays, and story collections offer a powerful way to engage with Indigenous voices, perspectives, and traditions. They provide not only captivating storytelling but also insight into the unique experiences and challenges faced by Native American and Indigenous communities.

What do you think about these books? Have you read any of them? Are any of these books on your TBR? What are your favorite story collections by Indigenous authors? Let’s talk all about story collections by Indigenous authors in the comments below.