When I listen to audiobooks, I’m struck by the unique way they enrich my reading experience. The narrator’s interpretation and performance can fundamentally shift my understanding of characters, plot twists, and themes. This is especially true when a narrator brings their own cultural background or personal connection to the story. In this sense, I’m thrilled to highlight 20 remarkable audiobooks that feature Indigenous authors and narrators.
What sets these books apart is not only the talented narrators but also the added depth and authenticity that comes from having a native voice behind the storytelling. While most of the audiobooks on this list were read by narrators other than the author, I did include a few memoirs where the author’s own narration shines, showcasing their impressive vocal range and storytelling abilities.
One thing to note is that many of these narrators have extensive catalogues, so be sure to explore beyond the books listed here! With hundreds of hours’ worth of listening pleasure on offer, grab your favorite snack or head outside for a stroll – there’s plenty to enjoy!
Calling for a Blanket Dance by Oscar Hokeah, read by Rainy Fields and Oscar Hokeah
In this narrative, we’re introduced to Ever, a young Indigenous man navigating complex identities shaped by his Cherokee, Kiowa, and Mexican heritage. As he grapples with understanding himself, his family, and their cultural history within the context of the world around him, the story unfolds through a rich tapestry of perspectives – those of his loved ones, including parents, romantic partners, friends, grandparents, and neighbors.
This moving narrative is a poignant exploration of loss and belonging, brought to life through a beautiful symphony of voices.
The Round House by Louise Erdrich, read by Gary Farmer
Erdrich’s audiobook narrations are consistently impressive, with many of her books featuring her own soothing voice. However, it’s the talented Gary Farmer who truly elevates this particular story to new heights. The narrative follows an Ojibwe boy grappling with the aftermath of a traumatic event that shatters his family’s world, set against the poignant backdrop of a northern Minnesota reservation.
This coming-of-age tale is both heart-wrenching and thought-provoking, making it a standout in Erdrich’s impressive oeuvre.
Probably Ruby by Lisa Bird-Wilson, read by Dakota Ray Hebert
In this captivating kaleidoscopic novel, multiple perspectives converge to tell a richly textured story. The protagonist, Ruby, is an Indigenous woman who was adopted by white parents as an infant, severing her ties to her birth family and cultural heritage. As she navigates young adulthood, Ruby yearns to reconnect with her roots, but her quest for self-discovery is fraught with obstacles.
The narrative jumps across time periods, weaving together the pivotal moments in the lives of those who have shaped Ruby’s journey – her birth and adoptive parents, friends, loved ones, and everyone in between – into a stunning tapestry that reflects her multifaceted identity.
Sanaaq by Mitiarjuk Nappaaluk, translated by Bernard Saladin d’Anglure, read by Tiffany Ayalik
In the midst of a serene narrative, this groundbreaking novel delves into the everyday lives of an Inuit family in northern Quebec, becoming the first to be written entirely in Inuktitut. The story revolves around Sanaaq, a resilient woman who navigates the ebbs and flows of her daily routine with quiet determination.
From embarking on seal hunting expeditions to preparing for the harsh winter months, Sanaaq’s experiences are woven together with those of her husband, as they face disagreements and share stories that have been passed down through generations.
A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt, read by Jesse Nobess
This groundbreaking novel seamlessly weaves together theoretical musings, philosophical introspection, oral histories, and personal narratives to create a rich tapestry of storytelling. The protagonist, an unnamed queer Cree PhD student, makes a bold decision to put aside their academic pursuits in the face of relentless racism within the academy, instead returning home to northern Alberta to pen a novel that redefines the boundaries of creative expression.
Belcourt’s prose is characterized by sentences that burst forth with the vividness and nuance of poetry, packing a punch that belies the book’s relatively concise length. In doing so, the author masterfully explores themes of inheritance, cultural heritage, and the transformative power of writing itself.
Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray by Anita Heiss, read by Tamala Shelton
As you listen to this poignant narrative, be prepared to reach for your box of tissues. It’s a beautifully crafted tale that weaves together moments of resilience, connection, and community, but also tugs at the heartstrings. The story takes place in Gundagai, Australia, during 1852, when a devastating flood forces a young Aboriginal woman to leave her family behind after the home she shares with the white family she works for is destroyed.
This deeply moving account of Australia’s colonization era features an extraordinary protagonist – one who embodies determination, creativity, and unwavering spirit, leaving a lasting impression on all who meet her.
Scratching River by Michelle Porter, read by the author
This powerful nonfiction book is a masterful blend of personal narrative, historical exploration, and investigative journalism. At its core lies Porter’s poignant quest to find a sense of belonging for her brother, whose traumatic experiences in an Alberta group home have left him searching for a place to call his own.
As she delves into the dark truth behind these events, Porter weaves together threads of Métis history, crafting a narrative that flows like a river, growing stronger and more profound with each passing page.
The Break by Katherena Vermette, read by Michaela Washburn
This gripping intergenerational family saga unfolds from the vantage point of Stella, a Métis mother, who gazes out her window to behold a potentially pivotal moment. As the narrative unfolds, a rich tapestry of perspectives emerges, weaving together the experiences of those touched by the victim’s fate.
With each character’s story adding depth and complexity, this powerful novel paints a vivid portrait of Winnipeg’s North End, where diverse lives intersect in poignant and thought-provoking ways.
Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty, read by Darrell Dennis
The linked story collection has a novel-like quality, with a sense of relentless momentum that drives the narrative forward. Comprised of stories set on a Penobscot reservation in Maine, the collection focuses on one family’s experiences, delving into their struggles, messes, joys, heartbreaks, and triumphs. Talty masterfully captures the underlying emotion in even the most ordinary moments, bringing vividness and sharpness to his writing.
An Afro-Indigenous History of the United States by Kyle T. Mays, read by Shaun Taylor-Corbett
Kyle T. Mays’ groundbreaking work delves into the intricate web of connections between African American and Indigenous struggles for freedom and self-determination, tracing a rich tapestry of resistance and activism across America’s complex past. Through his expert narrative, listeners are encouraged to envision a future where Black and Indigenous voices come together in potent solidarity, sparking new possibilities for social change.
Race to the Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse, read by Kinsale Hueston
In the world of this captivating middle grade fantasy, two siblings – Nizhoni and Mac – embark on a thrilling adventure. Nizhoni’s initial suspicions about their father’s new boss are proven correct, albeit in a more sinister way than she could have ever imagined.
The enigmatic figure’s fascination with the family’s Navajo heritage and stories seems harmless at first, but it takes a dramatic turn when Nizhoni’s father suddenly disappears, plunging her and Mac into a desperate search for answers and a quest to uncover the truth behind their patriarch’s vanishing act.
Tell Me Why by Archie Roach, read by the author
With a voice as rugged as the Australian outback, Archie Roach was an iconic singer-songwriter who left an indelible mark on the country’s music scene. In this candid memoir, he recounts the tumultuous journey of his life: from being forcibly removed from his family at just two years old to navigating a series of foster homes that became makeshift families for him.
As he searched for a sense of belonging and connection to the culture that was taken from him, Roach’s remarkable musical talents began to flourish, ultimately leading him to an illustrious career as one of Australia’s most beloved artists.
The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer, read by Tanis Parenteau
There are few nonfiction books that I feel compelled to share with everyone I know, and this is one such book. Written by Treuer, the book offers a comprehensive examination of Indigenous history from 1890 to the present day. One of its most significant contributions is dispelling the long-held misconception that Native American history ended with the Wounded Knee massacre.
Instead, Treuer sheds light on the numerous ways in which Native people have been instrumental in shaping America’s development from its earliest days. The book tackles the darker aspects of U. S. government actions against Indigenous populations head-on, but it also delves deeply into the rich cultural heritage, artistic achievements, and political movements that have thrived within these communities.
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley, read by Isabella Star LaBlanc
This young adult novel is a multifaceted tale that effortlessly weaves together elements of coming-of-age stories, family sagas, cultural exploration, and murder mysteries. The protagonist, Daunis, is a biracial teenager who has struggled to find her place in the world, torn between her small hometown and the Ojibwe reservation next door.
As she navigates these uncertain waters, her life takes a dramatic turn when she stumbles upon a murder scene, plunging her into a complex criminal investigation that will forever alter her perception of reality.
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice, read by Billy Merasty
In the depths of northern Canada’s Anishinaabe community, a quiet yet unsettling tale unfolds when all contact with the outside world ceases – phones silenced, internet dead, power flickering out. Winter’s chill sets in, and as the community struggles to cope with their isolation, they face threats from both within and without. The slow-burning tension builds, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty that lingers long after the story concludes.
Shutter by Ramona Emerson, read by Charley Flyte
In this spine-tingling crime novel, the desert landscapes of New Mexico provide the backdrop for a gripping tale of supernatural investigation and personal introspection. Rita Todacheene, a forensic photographer with an uncanny ability to perceive the spirits of victims, harnesses these insights to crack cases that elude her colleagues. As she delves deeper into the mysteries, however, her unique gifts begin to exact a toll, compelling her to confront the dark echoes of her own troubled past.
Bad Indians by Deborah A. Miranda, read by the author
Deborah A. Miranda’s nonfiction work is a masterful blend of historical narrative and personal memoir. The book delves into California’s Mission Period, offering a refreshing counter-narrative to traditional accounts by placing Indigenous peoples at the forefront. Rather than focusing solely on the colonizers’ perspectives, Miranda weaves together memories, fragments, stories, poems, and essays that not only recount the past but also shed light on contemporary issues.
Her powerful writing style uses the historical context to illuminate the present, making for a thought-provoking and deeply moving reading experience.
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones, read by Cara Gee
Stephen Graham Jones’s prolific output makes it a challenge to narrow down his impressive body of work to just one standout novel. The author’s eerie tale, centered around four Blackfeet men, delves into the dark consequences that stem from a traumatic event in their collective past.
As with much of Jones’s writing, this novel seamlessly weaves together spine-tingling tension, deeply nuanced characterizations, and astute social commentary, resulting in a gripping and unsettling reading experience.
Islands of Decolonial Love by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, read by Tantoo Cardinal
Simpson’s creative narrative weaves together a tapestry of humorous and heartbreaking tales that bring contemporary Indigenous life into vivid focus. Through her stories, songs, and poems, she masterfully captures the intricate nuances of human experience – moments of tenderness, resilience, love, and anguish that resonate deeply with listeners.
The audio format only enhances this sensory experience, as many pieces seem designed to be shared aloud, transporting the listener into a world where words come alive.
Split Tooth by Tanya Tagaq, read by the author
This captivating novel is set in Nunavut during the 1970s and follows an Inuk woman’s journey of self-discovery amidst turmoil and change. The narrative defies traditional linearity, instead propelling forward with a sense of wonder and surprise. The story is deeply rooted in the harsh yet beautiful landscape and the protagonist’s family dynamics, while also delving into the emotional truths hidden within dreams and memories.
Notably, the renowned throat singer Tagaq incorporates her own singing performances into the narrative, adding an integral layer of depth and emotion to the story. If you’re looking for more compelling audiobooks featuring Indigenous narrators, I’ve curated a selection of six titles to get you started, with additional recommendations available for your exploration.