True Native American

The Connecticut town of Cornwall rioted when John Ridge proposed to Sarah—not because she was fifteen but because John was an Indian, a future Cherokee chief. He and other 'Cherokee Princes' mastered Greek and Latin at these prestigious New England schools and served as diplomats in Washington for the Cherokee Nation, ninety percent of which became literate Christians and farm owners. When these scholars returned to their homeland in Appalachia, settlers continued to seek fortunes by taking land from the ‘savages.’

For decades, the singular and provocative paintings by Cree artist Kent Monkman have featured a recurring character—an alter ego of sorts, a shape-shifting, time-travelling elemental being named Miss Chief Eagle Testickle. Though we have glimpsed her across the years, and on countless canvases, it is finally time to hear her story, in her own words. And, in doing so, to hear the whole history of Turtle Island anew.

"No matter! Her blood is white!" Red Jacket seethed. He went to the fire and tried to kick the dirt to douse it, a signal that the council was over. Jones grabbed him and pulled him back. "But the blood she has shed in bearing her children is Seneca. The blood of her husband when wounded in battle is Seneca. This deed is not given by the Seneca. It is the white nation who owns rights to this land now. They are giving back to a Seneca by giving it to Mrs. Jemison. For this, Red Jacket, you should be glad.

An ancient shaman and his granddaughter travel to Harvard to pick up 2,047 skeletons stolen from the ruins of their family pueblo. She wants their time together to heal their broken hearts. He hopes the road trip will make her appreciate family. He fashions a dreamcatcher which sometimes hurls Hollow-Woman into the past to experience her ancestors.

In We Refuse to Forget, award-winning journalist Caleb Gayle tells the extraordinary story of the Creek Nation, a Native tribe that two centuries ago both owned slaves and accepted Black people as full citizens. Thanks to the efforts of Creek leaders like Cow Tom, a Black Creek citizen who rose to become chief, the U.S. government recognized Creek citizenship in 1866 for its Black members. Yet this equality was shredded in the 1970s when tribal leaders revoked the citizenship of Black Creeks, even those who could trace their history back generations—even to Cow Tom himself.

Deep Conviction features four ordinary Americans who put their reputations and livelihoods at risk as they fought to protect their first amendment right to live their personal beliefs. Though these individuals couldn’t be more different, they share a similar conviction and determination, and the principles of religious freedom apply equally to all of them.

"The Legend of Tsali" is an inspiring story of one man's sacrifice for the Cherokee people and homeland he loved. Tsali was working his homestead as history unfolded around him. Seven thousand troops were drafted in to place the local Cherokees in stockades, before a forced march to the West, which became known as the Trail of Tears. Discover how one man's resistance became a legend that is still told today!

Mary Barber was born in Massachusetts and married Sioux chief Squatting Bear in 1867. In her memoirs, she described her experiences with the Sioux and the many relations of Squatting Bear.