Bryan D. Jackson Author Q & A, Part 3
Welcome to part 3 of Cherokee Afternoon Author Q&A. Today, we delve into the heart of Cherokee Afternoon, a story woven from threads of personal connection to the past, meticulous historical research into the pivotal 1838 timeline, and the powerful journeys of women - both those who navigated the challenges of that era and those whose legacies continue to inspire.
What historical research informed the 1838 timeline?
The 1838 timeline was informed by a blend of personal history and extensive research, with a particular emphasis on uncovering the experiences of women during this period. My grandmother’s story about Mary was the initial thread, which was later substantiated by Don Shadburn’s meticulous research in Unhallowed Intrusion and Upon Our Ruins, connecting directly to my ancestors. Beyond this, I sought out firsthand accounts like that of Rebecca Neugin, whose childhood memories of the stockades offer a powerful glimpse into the human cost of the time. The journal of Rev. Daniel Butrick also proved vital. Furthermore, the insightful work of numerous female historians, including Theda Purdue, Vicki Rozema, and others, provided essential perspectives on the feminine experience during the Trail of Tears, reinforcing the strength and resilience I see reflected in both historical and contemporary Cherokee women.
Past and present Cherokee women have inspired and educated me. They have done so through their life examples, presentations, public service, discourse, or our conversations. These include women such as Annie Chappel Rogers, Wilma Mankiller, Myrtle Driver-Johnson, and Gayle Ross. I would also mention Karen Sixkiller, Dawni Saloli, Jaymee “Ambush” Jones, Feather Smith, Nathalie Standingcloud, Donetta Johnson, Becky Hobbs, and Maggie Nichols. Some Cherokee women who have been of help to me personally are Mary Price Boday, America Meredith, Melissa Payne, Jeanne Webber, Rebecca Goss, Jay Marshall, Corinne Losi, Alexis Watt, and Crystal Trulove. Many of these are or were everyday Cherokee women going about their business and making the world better. You will find a courageous Emmy or Molly within every single one of them.
What was the Trail of Tears?
The term “Trail of Tears” refers to the devastating forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation, along with the Chickasaw, Choctaw, Muscogee-Creek, and Seminole peoples, from their ancestral homelands in the southeastern United States. This brutal campaign of ethnic cleansing, unfolding roughly between 1830 and 1850, represents a deeply shameful chapter in American history. As the Cherokee people were forcibly marched westward under inhumane conditions, they endured immense suffering, loss, and death. While the Cherokee Trail of Tears is perhaps the most widely known, it’s crucial to remember that many other Indigenous nations across North America experienced similar forced removal. In the series Dark Winds, Joe Leaphorn talks about his ancestors. He spoke about the Navajo people’s “Long Walk,” highlighting a broad history of injustice and dispossession.
How do you see the book contributing to the work within the MMIW crisis?
The experiences of Molly, Emmy, and Mary in Cherokee Afternoon are central to how I hope the book resonates with the MMIW crisis. Their individual journeys, while fictional, are rooted in the very real vulnerabilities that make Indigenous women in North America disproportionately susceptible to violence. While the book’s primary focus isn’t specifically on missing and murdered individuals, it confronts the reality of sexual assault and the intersecting systematic factors that can tragically lead to MMIW crisis. By humanizing these struggles through the characters' stories, I aspire to deepen readers’ understanding of the systemic issues at play and contribute to the growing urgency for awareness, justice, and meaningful change within the MMIW movement.
