The Riverside County Law Library is proud to participate in the California Library Association’s Book to Action program.
Through reading, dialogue, and public programming, participants will explore Indigenous leadership, legal history, tribal sovereignty, and local Native history and perspectives.
Programs will take place from July 13 – August 15, 2026 across our Riverside, Temecula, and Palm Springs locations.
All programs are free and open to the public.
What is Book to Action?
Book to Action programs offer opportunities for lifelong learning, community connection, and civic engagement. Book to Action takes the book club concept of everyone reading the same book and expands on it by encouraging participants to take action and engage in learning, community service and/or civic engagement activities related to the shared book.
This year’s Riverside County Law Library program focuses on Indigenous voices, Native leadership, legal history, and tribal sovereignty. In line with RCLL’s mission to increase its collection of Native American materials, we have chosen the following two books on this theme.
Featured Books
Teen Selection
Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present
By Adrienne Keene and Ciara Sana
This beautifully illustrated collection contains fifty accessible biographical sketches that celebrate the lives, stories, and contributions of fifty notable American Indian, Alaska native, and native Hawaiian people.
Adult Selection
By the Fire We Carry: The Generations-Long Fight for Justice on Native Land
By Rebecca Nagle
This book explores and explains the context of 2020’s Supreme Court case McGirt v. Oklahoma, whose decision affirmed most of eastern Oklahoma as tribal land.
Free Books for Participants
Free copies of each featured title will be available for program participants while supplies last. Available at all three locations: Riverside, Temecula, and Palm Springs.
Additional details regarding book pickup and registration will be announced soon.
Program Schedule
Week 1 — Teen Book Discussions
July 15 | 5 PM (Temecula) & July 16 | 5 PM (Virtual)
Attend one of the following book discussions to enter the Storytelling Art Contest.
Book Discussion Meeting 1: In-Person July 15, from 5:00-6:00pm, Ronald H. Roberts Temecula Public Library, Community Room B
Combating Erasure: A look into present-day Native leaders and social issues.
Select one modern-day Native Leader and one Native Historical leader mentioned in Adrienne Keene's book and research into their history and cause. Afterwards, write out a conversation between these two figures.
What would these two people have agreed and disagreed on?
What are the similarities and differences in their actions for social change?
If you were to enter the conversation, what would you ask?
On the day of the book discussion, bring your written conversation on your chosen people and discuss the impact this book had on you.
Book Discussion Meeting 2: Virtual (Zoom) July 16, from 5:00-6:00pm
Local Social Change: Current Tribal and Native American Issues
Research into a Native social cause mentioned in Adrienne Keene’s book and connect it to a current Native issue in your local community. (Riverside County, California, Family heritage).
How are these two issues related to each other? Are they similar or does one affect the other?
What current action is being taken in your community on your chosen local Native issue? Who are some of the local leaders connected to this cause?
What obstacles or successes have these two issues faced?
What is one thing you learned from the book that may be helpful when applied to your local issue?
On the day of the book discussion, bring in your comparison between your chosen issues and discuss the impact this book had on you.
Book Reflection Guidelines:
Book reflections must be between 150 – 300 words.
Reflections must follow the activity directions.
Only original work will be accepted. reflections must be in your own words. We will not accept any work with AI.
Week 2 — Adult Book Discussions
July 21 | 1 PM (Book Discussion) & July 23 | 3:30 PM (Seminar)
BOTH DATES Riverside & Virtual
Book Discussion Registration Form (July 21st)
Anyone interested in this program or any of our other programming will be provided with a copy of By the Fire We Carry, free of charge.
Join us for a community discussion of By the Fire We Carry by Rebecca Nagle, hosted by Library Assistant Yanis. Through its exploration of Indigenous rights, justice, and the power of historical memory, the book raises important questions that continue to resonate today. Our conversation will be informal and participant-driven, allowing attendees to guide the discussion. All are welcome, and please bring your questions, favorite passages, or simply your curiosity.
Requirements: To get the most out of the conversation, we encourage participants to finish the book or be nearly finished by the time of the meeting. Please complete the RSVP form to receive updates and the Zoom link directly in your inbox. Thank you, and we hope you'll join us!
McGirt v. Oklahoma Seminar Registration Form (July 23rd)
Now that we've read the story behind McGirt v. Oklahoma, it's time to explore the case itself. Join us for a seminar hosted by library assistant, Yanis Ait Kaci Azzou, as we dive into one of the most consequential Supreme Court decisions of the 21st century. Together, we'll examine how the Court reached its decision, what the ruling means for tribal sovereignty and federal Indian law, and why its impact continues to shape legal and political debates today. Along the way, we'll also discuss how Supreme Court opinions are written, interpreted, and remembered, giving you the tools to better understand how the Court makes history and how we can study that history for ourselves. This event is open to all who may be interested in these topics.
Recommended Reading:
The full opinion for McGirt v. Oklahoma is freely available on the Supreme Court's website: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/18-9526_9okb.pdf
It is also recommended that you read Rebecca Nagle's By the Fire We Carry, a free copy of which can be obtained from any branch of the Riverside County Law Library
Week 3 — Panel Discussion: Tribal Sovereignty, Law & Justice: Its Impact Today
July 29 | 4 PM (Riverside & Virtual)
Guest speakers and community voices will explore Indigenous governance, legal history, and perspectives connected to local Indigenous communities. Panelists and more information to be announced!
Week 4 — Teen Storytelling Contest
August 6 | 6 PM (Temecula)
Teens are invited to submit original artwork, presentations, or videos telling the story of a notable Native person, accompanied by a short essay.
Works must be original and not made by or with the assistance of AI. Teens may then present their work.
Short essay must be 500 words minimum in length titled the name of your artwork. Essay should explain the creative process, background of the chosen Native person, and 5 credible citations.
Submissions must be in line with the theme of the Storytelling Contest.
Selected submissions may be featured in the final community exhibit.
Week 5 — Community Action Project & Symposium: Honoring Native Voices and Local History
August 14 | 2 PM (Palm Springs)
Join us in recognition of local tribes, their history, and Indigenous contributions to our region through community learning, exhibits, and public dialogue.
This culminating event serves as the community action component of the Book to Action program by connecting reading and discussion with local history and community engagement.
More Details Coming Soon
Additional information regarding registration, speaker announcements, contest guidelines, exhibit participation, and book pickup will be posted soon. Subscribe to our newsletter and follow our social media @rclawlibrary on Instagram and TikTok for updates.
This project is supported in whole or in part by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.
For questions, please contact:
