Native Women Changing Their Worlds

Gr 6 Up–The ninth entry in the “Native Trailblazers” series explores the lives of 12 Native American and First Nations activists and changemakers, from Kansas Representative Sharice Davids (Ho-Chunk Nation) and New Mexico Representative Debra Haaland (Pueblo of Laguna) to tribal leaders Roberta Jamieson (Six Nations of the Grand River Territory) and Elsie Marie Knott (Mississauga Ojibwe) to scientist Mary Golda Ross (Cherokee). Each brief chapter narrates a different woman’s life, showcasing themes of perseverance, determination, and education. Cutright does not shy away from the traumas endured by many of her subjects. She frequently references the epidemic of murdered and missing Indigenous women, a cause that unites several of the women featured in the book. Each chapter includes a few photographs of the spotlighted woman and concludes with a list of awards and achievements. There is a useful bibliography. Cutright’s text is accessible, making this title both an appealing entry point for adolescent students researching Native women activists and a productive teaching tool for upper elementary and middle school.