Birchbark Books
| Company type | Independent bookstore |
|---|---|
| Industry | Retail (Books and Native art) |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Founder | Louise Erdrich |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis, Minnesota , United States |
Area served | Minneapolis area; online sales |
| Products | Native American literature, Native art, Indigenous crafts |
Birchbark Books, also referred to as Birchbark Books & Native Arts, is an independent bookstore situated in the Kenwood area of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Established in 2001 by Louise Erdrich, a Pulitzer Prize-winning Native American author from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians, the store offers both literary works and Native art pieces.
The brick-and-mortar location, Birchbark Books, primarily features literature and artwork by Native creators while also carrying a selection of non-Native items. Its e-commerce platform, Birchbark Native Arts, focuses exclusively on products crafted by Indigenous artists. In April 2023, the business broadened its footprint by opening Birchbark Bizhew (also known as Birchbark Lynx), an event venue and warehouse space. Together, these entities operate under the collective name Birchbark Books and Native Art.
Birchbark’s specialty lies in literature authored by Native writers across various genres including fiction, history, spirituality, education, and language preservation. The bookstore pays particular attention to emerging and less widely recognized Indigenous authors. It also boasts an extensive collection of Dakota and Ojibwe language materials, encompassing children’s picture books, language instruction guides, and adult texts. The staff personally curate the inventory and provide handwritten recommendations displayed throughout the premises.
The interior design of the store highlights Native artistry and was created by Indigenous designers. Distinctive elements include a canoe suspended from the ceiling, a children’s loft fashioned as a treehouse with a Hobbit hole underneath, and an altar installation adorned with Erdrich’s personal sins.
As a member of the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association, Birchbark maintains strong industry ties. Owner Louise Erdrich has also remarked on the presence of supernatural activity within the bookstore.
History
In 2001, Louise Erdrich launched the bookstore initially as a modest general-interest shop emphasizing Native American and Indigenous writing. Its offerings span fiction, poetry, history, politics, culinary arts, memoirs, and resources dedicated to revitalizing Indigenous languages such as Ojibwe and Dakota. Additionally, the store retails handcrafted Indigenous art including baskets, beadwork, and jewelry. The structure itself reflects Indigenous craftsmanship through features like a suspended canoe and construction materials consisting of cedar wood and birch logs.
Following the closure of the nearby Kenwood Café in 2011—which caused a significant decline in sales—Erdrich contemplated shuttering the bookstore. Nonetheless, support from the local community enabled fundraising efforts that kept Birchbark Books operational until business recovered.
Functioning as a cultural hub, Birchbark Books hosts events featuring prominent authors such as Angela Davis, Tommy Orange, Gerald Vizenor, Marcie Rendon, Teresa Peterson, and Diane Wilson. The store has also collaborated with galleries and churches to present Indigenous art exhibitions.
Birchbark Bizhew
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Birchbark Books temporarily closed its physical location and transitioned to fulfilling orders online, experiencing a significant surge in sales after 2020. To facilitate order fulfillment, it leased space near Loring Corners—close to Loring Park and the Walker Art Center. In 2023, Birchbark permanently established Birchbark Bizhiw (Birchbark Lynx) at this location as an event venue dedicated to Indigenous authors and artists. Past participants have included Monique Gray Smith, Carole Lindstrom, and Sky Hopinka. The venue also retails products from Indigenous businesses such as Native Wisdom Skincare, Makwa Studio, Romona Farms, and Seka Hills alongside works by local artists.
A notable event hosted at Birchbark Bizhew was the release party for A Council of Dolls, longlisted for the National Book Award, authored by PEN Award recipient Mona Susan Power.