Honoring Indigenous Peoples’ Day at the Holliston Public Library

This October, Diverse Holliston partnered with the Holliston Public Library to create a display in honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day. The exhibit celebrated Native history, culture, and contemporary voices through books, art, and educational materials, inviting our community to learn, reflect, and connect.

Use the arrows on the side of the image to toggle through the gallery.

The display featured a rich mix of items for all ages — from children’s picture books like Finding My Dance by Ria Thundercloud and Jingle Dancer by Cynthia Leitich Smith, to young adult novels such as Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley and Fire Keeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley. Nonfiction works including Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann and Code Talker by Chester Nez presented powerful historical truths, while art and artifacts highlighted the creativity and resilience of Indigenous peoples past and present.

The display also included a “Must See TV” section featuring two documentaries, “Jim Thorpe: Lit by Lightning” and “The Lost Children of Carlisle.” Both documentaries underscore the traumatic events and policies that colonialism had on Native Americans.

Alongside these real-world stories was Marvel Studios’ fictional series Echo, featuring Maya Lopez—a deaf, Choctaw woman. The character was developed with input and approval from the Choctaw Nation, who emphasized that it’s past time for Indigenous communities to be consulted and empowered to tell their own stories and share their cultures.

A final focal point of the display was the artwork of Nayana LaFond, whose series Portraits in Red honors missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. The collection serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing work needed to achieve justice and visibility for Native communities.

We’re grateful to the Holliston Public Library for providing space for community exhibits and for helping bring awareness to Indigenous voices and stories, and to Janeen Cox for collecting the resources and installing the exhibit.

If you'd like to help with future library installations, please contact us. We are currently looking for support for the Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 15 - 22) and Thanksgiving / National Day of Mourning (November 23 - 30) exhibits.