Echoes of Resistance: Mildred’s Whispers (Part 6) Read Part 5 “Have you ever considered that Mildred might represent your higher self?” The energy healer with whom I was working posed that question. Mildred was a grandaunt whom I had never met. She was my grandmother’s older sister. She died at age twenty-two after being hit … Read more
Novel
Echoes of Resistance: A Legacy Denied (Part 5) Read Part 4 There’s a house on Main Street in Bryson City, North Carolina. Dishearteningly, it is now the office of a Relax Inn. Some of my family owned that house in less complex but equally difficult times. A few miles from Kituwah Mound, considered the mother … Read more
Echoes of Resistance (Part 4) Read Part 3 It was the mid-2000s, and I was investigating my Cherokee genealogy. Emma was the missing link. She came into my life as an echo, tugging at my heart and soul. She was the link between what I already knew about my great-grandmother, Estelle, and what lay beyond … Read more
Echoes of Resistance (Part 3) Read Part 2 In December of 1835, a minority of Cherokees met to sign the Treaty of New Echota. This was an agreement made behind the backs of the Cherokee majority by other Cherokees to cede Cherokee land to the United States government. Three of my Rogers ancestors, all brothers, … Read more
Echoes of Resistance (Part 2) Read Part 1 Osiyo nigada! Recently, I shared the story of my third great-grandmother, Annie, who hailed from the old Cherokee Nation before our people were forced from the East. Her legacy lives on in Yona Ambles, a six-part series honoring my ancestors, and in my New Adult series, Echoes … Read more
Echoes of Resistance (Part 1) In my series, “Echoes of Resistance,” book two (Cherokee Sunset) continues the McNair sisters saga. Book one, Cherokee Afternoon, opened a door for events to confront Molly and Emmy. These books are meant to reflect all our lives to some degree. When I examine my Cherokee ancestors’ lives, I see … Read more
Storytelling Happy New Year! Recently, we at Cherokee Community of Puget Sound (Cherokee Nation) had the privilege of hearing from Cherokee National Treasure for Storytelling Robert Lewis. By way of Cherokee traditional stories, some of what he encouraged us to do was to be kind to one another and to seek out our elders to … Read more
The Multi-generational Transmission Process and Trauma Sometime around 1979-80, my grandmother Aileen sat down with my mother to discuss the Roberts side of the family, my father’s maternal line. They let me sit in. I watched as my mother took judicious notes from “Grandmama’s” oral tradition. I had a “Nana,” Miriam, who was my mother’s … Read more
The Three Sisters and the Corn Husk Doll What is your face saying to the world? Once upon a time, the Creator gave us three things: beans, corn, and squash. They are sometimes called “The Three Sisters.” Corn (selu) was particularly important. The Cherokee women approached Creator for permission to make the children corn husk … Read more
The Chief’s Annual Picnic What an incredible day it was on Sunday, August 3, as the Cherokee Community of Puget Sound (CC-PS) welcomed Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin, Jr. The annual event, held this year at the Enumclaw Expo in Enumclaw, Washington, was a powerful gathering of community, culture, and conversation. The venue provided … Read more
Bryan D. Jackson Author Q & A, Part 5 Read Part 4 Sometimes the magic of a story lies not just in what happens, but in how it’s told, and the quiet power behind each character’s journey. Delving into the intricacies of storytelling, this Q&A weaves together scene construction and character development in the new … Read more
Bryan D. Jackson Author Q & A, Part 4 Read Part 3 Welcome! Today we are taking a peek behind the curtain to discover what ignites a writer’s passion. From cherished childhood memories and influential mentors to beloved books and grounding rituals, we’ll explore the unique journey that shaped Bryan’s literary world. Join us as … Read more