Native Reads Project

Celebrating storytelling through literature, podcasts, and community dialogue.

#NativeReads is a literary initiative launched in 2019 celebrating the voices and stories of the Oceti Sakowin Oyate.

Created in partnership between First Nations Development Institute and the Oceti Sakowin Writers Society, the project shares essential works by Oceti Sakowin authors and encourages deeper engagement with our literary traditions. Alongside a curated reading list, #NativeReads includes podcast episodes, discussion guides, and educational resources to support readers, educators, and communities. At its heart, #NativeReads is about honoring our storytellers, reclaiming narrative, and passing knowledge forward.

#NativeReads Podcast Episodes

In partnership with The Red Nation Podcast and Red Nation Publishing, OSWS produced a series of podcast episodes in conjunction with the First Nations Development Institute-funded #NativeReads campaign. The podcast series is a supplemental learning tool that can be paired with lesson plans and curricula on Oceti Sakowin Literary Traditions.

The Red Nation Podcast is hosted by Nick Estes and features discussions on Indigenous history, politics, and culture from a left perspective.

Read about The Red Nation Podcast in Lakota Country Times. The Red Nation Podcast is available on all major podcast platforms, such as Google Play, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, SoundCloud, Libsyn, etc.

Music: “My Stone [instrumentals]” by Frank Waln (Sicangu Lakota): http://frankwaln.com

Wopila tanka to these creatives:
Frank Waln (Sicangu Lakota) for The Red Nation #NativeReads Podcast Song “My Stone (Instrumentals).”
Ruben Hernandez (Sicangu Lakota) for the OSWS logo and the #NativeReads podcast cover art.

The #NativeReads Top 10 List

  • Anti-Indianism in Modern America

    Elizabeth Cook-Lynn (Dakota, Crow Creek)

  • Custer Died For Your Sins

    Vine Deloria, Jr. (Hunkpapa Lakota)

  • Memory Songs

    Lydia Whirlwind Soldier (Sicangu Lakota)

  • Not Without Our Consent

    Edward Valandra, Ph.D. (Sicangu Lakota)

  • Our History is the Future

    Nick Estes (Kul Wicasa)

  • The Soul of the Indian

    Charles Eastman (Santee Dakota)

  • The Lakota Way

    Joseph Marshall III (Sicangu Lakota)

  • Waterlilly

    Ella Cara Deloria (Yanktonai Dakota)

  • Whereas

    Layli Long Soldier (Oglala Lakota)

  • Witness

    Josephine Waggonner