Native Youth Reading Challenge: Empowering Indigenous Voices Through Storytelling 

This October, the Native Youth Reading Challenge began, celebrating Native voices and connecting young readers with stories that reflect their heritage. The Challenge was created by a team of educators from public and tribal schools as well as libraries in Washington State and was officially launched at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center by the United Indians of All Tribes Education Coalition (UIATEC), with participation from the Magnolia Branch Library of the Seattle Public Library as a Coalition partner.

The kickoff celebration on October 18 at Daybreak Star was a big event, bringing together Native students from K-12 and their educators for a day of storytelling and connection. Sovereign Bills, the voice of Molly from Molly of Denali, shared her story with the crowd, capturing everyone’s attention. To make the day even more memorable, young Native readers received over 500 books by Native authors to take home. And high school students got a unique chance to interview Ronn!e, the Product Manager for Daybreak Star Radio Station, where they learned about his work with Native artists and the stories he brings to the airwaves. 

The Reading Challenge, which runs through March 2025, invites Native youth to dive into books that speak to their culture, history, and identity. It’s not just about reading—this is an opportunity to feel pride in the knowledge and wisdom passed down Since Time Immemorial. Through these books, young readers get to see themselves and their communities represented, and they also build skills in leadership and near-peer mentorship. It’s all about lifting up Native voices and creating space for the next generation to feel proud of who they are and where they come from. 

Program Goals

Cultural Sovereignty and Community Building 

The heart of the Native Youth Reading Challenge is simple but powerful: it’s about giving Native youth access to books that truly reflect their culture and values. When young readers dive into stories grounded in Indigenous cultures, they’re not just reading—they’re connecting to their history, language, and traditions in a way that helps them feel proud of who they are. These stories are a bridge, offering a positive self-image and a sense of belonging. In each book, discussion, and interaction, youth are strengthening their identities within a welcoming, supportive community. 

Youth Leadership and Mentorship 

But this program isn’t just about reading. It’s about empowering Native youth to be mentors and leaders. Older teens will take the lead, guiding younger readers and helping them grow confidence and interpersonal skills. It’s a space where young people get to see themselves as the changemakers they are. Through mentorship, they’re building connections with each other and fostering a sense of unity and resilience. This is a chance for them to see themselves as future leaders—not just for today, but for their communities’ future. 

Find Books

To support Native youth, Beanstack has links to the Seattle Public Library with curated lists of books by Native authors: 

• Grades K-3 Recommendations, Part I
• Grades K-3 Recommendations, Part II
• Grades 4-7 Recommendations
• Grades 8-12 Recommendations

Explore our collection of Native-authored books and join us in celebrating the voices that shape and strengthen our community! 

Mai Takahashi is a Children’s Service Librarian at the Seattle Public Library (SPL). She was born and raised in Japan and came to the US as an adult in 2003 and pursued a public librarianship since then. Her work at SPL involves a lot of partnership with the urban Indigenous/Indigiqueer communities and this is her 13th year at SPL. Mai was one of the ALSC EDI Fellows in 2020 and returned to the now permanent Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee as a co-chair. Outside of SPL and besides being a co-chair of the ALSC EDI committee and a co-chair of the City of Seattle AAPI caucus group, Mai enjoys hiking, standup comedy, and eating noodles.

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 This October, the Native Youth Reading Challenge began, celebrating Native voices and connecting young readers with stories that reflect their heritage. The Challenge was created by a team of educators from public and tribal schools as well as libraries in Washington State and was officially launched at the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center by the United Indians of All Tribes Education Coalition (UIATEC), with participation from the Magnolia Branch Library of the Seattle Public Library as a Coalition partner. The kickoff celebration on October 18 at Daybreak Star was a big event, bringing together Native students from K-12 and their educators for a day of storytelling and connection. Sovereign Bills, the voice of Molly from Molly of Denali, shared her story with the crowd, capturing everyone’s attention. To make the day even more memorable, young Native readers received over 500 books by Native authors to take home. And high school…
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