Google celebrates author James Welch's 76th birthday with new Doodle

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 18 (UPI) -- Google is paying homage to Native American writer James Welch with a new Doodle on what would have been his 76th birthday.

Released Friday, users who visit Google's homepage will notice artwork depicting Welch's likeness on notebook paper with notes alongside colorful horses prancing below Google's logo that appears inside a collection of tipis.

"Through his novels, documentary film, and poems, Welch gave voice to the struggles and humanity of the Native American experience in the United States," writes the internet giant about the author.

Welch is best known for his award-winning novel Fools Crow that follows the story of the Blackfeet people as they seek to continue their traditional Native American ways following the Civil War.

"He was considered an early part of what was later dubbed the Native American Renaissance, during which native writers celebrated tribal culture and revealed its complex problems in works readily accessible to the larger American public," Google continued about his career.

"His works were appreciated universally for both their artistic appeal and ability to bring the experiences of the Native American people to life."

The Doodle is part of Google's celebration of Native American Heritage Month that has included Google's Cultural Institute highlighting six Native American artists, Google Play Books offering special Native American heritage reads and YouTube who has featured music and dance content from modern Native American communities.

Also Google has released Google Expeditions of Indian Country which allows students "to learn about topics ranging from Southwest tribes to powwows to the Battle of the Little Bighorn."