Book lovers, pet lovers, and those interested in learning more about American Indian arts, culture, language, and history will love Birchbark Books located near Lake of the Isles and Calhoun Lake in Minneapolis.

Owned by the famous American Indian novelist, Louis Erdrich (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), customers travel from all over the country to visit her bookstore.  She is the author of several fiction novels, poetry, and children’s books and was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for her 2009 novel, The Plague of Doves.  Her artistry takes on features of William Faulkner with present-day Native-American fiction.  This unique mixture is presented in the many characters that are repeated throughout her works and narrated in their voice, moving back and forth through time.

In store you can browse diverse topics ranging from Minnesota plants, geology, and history; American Indian culture, language, and history (with special focus on Objibwe and Dakota people); children’s books; young adult and adult fiction novels.  Many of the books and book signing events feature upcoming local artists and writers.  You can also find signed books for purchase by several authors, including Louis Erdrich.  Also in store you’ll find jewelry, toiletries, and other pieces made by local American Indian artists and healing herbs and botanicals such as bitter root, sweet grass, sage, and bearberry.

Birchbark Books is the only independent bookstore owned and operated by American Indians in Minnesota.  It is unique in that great care was taken to use salvage and non-toxic materials to build the store.  The doors are from the ReUse Center in Minneapolis, the globe lights from an old school house, and inside the wooden floor is the original flooring that belonged to a meat market which was the site’s previous occupant.  Birchbark Books takes a community-centric approach to doing business, supporting local artists and writers; having employees such as Manager Susan White greet customers with a warm and friendly smile and plenty of stories to tell; and each employee owns a dog which they proudly bring to work with them to greet regulars and newcomers.  Drop in and when you do, tell them MarkdownMom sent you!

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BIRCHBARK BOOKS

Manager: Susan White

2115 West 21^st Street

Minneapolis, MN 55405

Phone: 612-374-4023

Website: http://birchbarkbooks.com/