"American schoolchildren have long been taught that their country was 'discovered' by Christopher Columbus in 1492. But the history of Native Americans in the United States goes back tens of tens of thousands of years prior to Columbus's and other colonizers' arrivals. So, what's the true history?"-- - (Baker & Taylor)

"A comprehensive and accessible history of the Indigenous peoples of North America." - STARRED REVIEW, School Library Journal
 
Introducing a new nonfiction series that uncovers hidden histories of the United States.

The true story of the United States’ Indigenous beginnings.

American schoolchildren have long been taught that their country was “discovered” by Christopher Columbus in 1492. But the history of Native Americans in the United States goes back tens of tens of thousands of years prior to Columbus’s and other colonizers’ arrivals. So, what’s the true history? 
Complete with an 8-page color photo insert, Indigenous America introduces and amplifies the oral and written histories that have long been left out of American history books. - (Penguin Putnam)

Liam McDonald, also known by his stage name OPLIAM, is an internationally touring and critically acclaimed rock n' roll musician of Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) Descent. He is an Indigenous rights activist and founder of the Indigenous Peoples’ Day Concert, a free annual concert that showcases Native American musicians and advocates to officially change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Chicago. Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, he now lives in Chicago, Illinois where he owns and operates Sky People Entertainment, a concert production company focused on building opportunities for Native American and Indigenous musicians. - (Penguin Putnam)

Booklist Reviews

This addition to the True History series documents Indigenous societies that thrived in America long before Europeans showed up and declared they'd discovered a new land. Seeking to correct traditional historical records, the text traces the history of Native Americans from prehistoric times through the development of democratic societies and cooperative confederations to the nineteenth-century genocide inflicted by the American government. Instead of a straight chronological approach, chapters revolve around Native American creation stories and myths, effectively emphasizing the richness of Indigenous oral histories. There are references to Native influences on American culture, with special detail paid to music and musicians. Closing chapters review twentieth-century Native American activism and recent efforts by government agencies and educational institutions to increase Indigenous representation (identifying the tribal lands their campuses occupy, updating Eurocentric Thanksgiving rhetoric, eliminating offensive language and mascots that demean Indigenous peoples). Quotes, vocabulary definitions, and discussion prompts appear throughout the pages; back matter includes a selected bibliography, photos, and other graphics. There are no chapter notes or references, alas, but lots to ponder. Grades 6-8. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.