22 - We’re Still Here: Bookish Chat with Author Traci Sorell

Traci lives with her family in the Cherokee Nation, out in the country like she did as a child. Back then, she had geese, chickens, horses, dogs and cats. Her mother’s Cherokee family has been in the area since the removal of most Cherokee people from their southeastern homelands in 1838. Traci grew up hearing stories about her ancestors and looking at their photographs with her elisi (eh-lee-see), grandma. Now her son does that with his elisi in addition to fishing in the nearby lake and learning their Cherokee culture. Before she began writing for children, Traci’s work focused on helping Native American tribes and their citizens. She wrote legal codes, testimony for Congressional hearings, federal budget requests, grants and reports. She continues that work by writing stories for young people and encouraging other Native writers and illustrators to share theirs. When Traci was a child, she never read culturally accurate books about the Cherokee or any other Indigenous people. The stories and poems she writes now reflect her mission to add to the canon of literature showing that Native Nations and their citizens still exist and thrive today. Visit Traci’s website: https://www.tracisorell.com/Books mentioned in this episode:We’re Still Here: Native American TruthsLibro.fm offer: Receive 2 audiobooks for the price of 1. Customers will need to start a monthly membership and will pay $14.99 for 2 audiobook credits to use on over 185,000 audiobooks.  Enter code HWR at checkout or click here libro.fm/redeem/HWR.Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:Blog: http://hereweeread.comPersonal Website: charnaiegordon.comPodcast Email Address: [email protected] Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, PinterestFeel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.  Thanks for listening!