Perpich Hosts Native Authors Book Fair

August 14, 2025

On August 12, 2025, the Native Authors Book Fair drew the attention of well over 100 attendees—K-12 arts and non-arts educators, library media specialists, curriculum leaders, librarians, professors in higher education, and community members. It was a great afternoon for everyone!

Dance Education Specialist Mary Harding moderates a panel of Native Authors

Guest authors for the Book Fair were Art Coulson (Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma), Nicholas DeShaw (Bois Forte Ojibwe), Delores Kiki Garcia (Bad River), Evan Larson, Melonee Montano (Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior), Marique Moss (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation), and Kim Sigafus (White Earth Nation). In two groups, the authors were interviewed by Perpich Center’s Dance Education Specialist Mary Harding and Theater Education Specialist Dr. Stephanie Lein Walseth. Interviews have been a key feature of the Native Authors & Artists Series, and the ones for the Book Fair proved just as interesting as those from previous events. Attendees were also able to talk with each author individually and purchase their books.

A special thank you to other vendors who made this Book Fair a success including Birchbark Books, Black Bears and Blueberries Publishing, and Little Free Library! Everyone appreciated being able to shop for books by other Indigenous authors, too, including several affiliated with Minnesota tribal communities.

Author Marique Moss speaks with attendees during the Native Authors Book Fair

This Book Fair followed the second season of Perpich’s popular Native Authors & Artists Series co-hosted by Perpich Center’s Library and Professional Development and Resource Programs group. Visit the Perpich Center’s webpage to watch an interview with each of our past guest authors and check out the many suggested resources for personal learning or classroom use.

Native Authors & Artists Series webpage.

The Native Authors & Artists Series of guest speakers is specifically designed to introduce K-12 educators and librarians to books by Dakota and Ojibwe authors and illustrators. Each gathering features an interview and Q&A with a guest presenter, resource lists, and includes time in the Perpich Library to peruse our extensive collection of books by Native authors.