Cherokee Author Vanessa Lillie Talks 'Blood Sisters' And Indigenous People's Day Activities

Monday, October 14 is Indigenous People's Day, a day set aside to celebrate the vibrant histories, cultures, and contributions of Native American communities.

Cherokee author Vanessa Lillie stopped by to talk to LeAnne about the celebration.

LeAnne: So, back in January, you may recall I interviewed Vanessa when her book, "Blood Sisters", came out. She is from the Miami area. I mentioned at the end of the interview that if she was ever in town, she should come by and see us—and here she is! I love that. Talk to me a little bit about this weekend and the importance of this celebration for your culture.

Vanessa: Absolutely. Being Cherokee, there's so much to celebrate this weekend, and for all Indigenous peoples. Tulsa is doing an incredible job of bringing in artists from all over the country for the art market and the "Nanyehi" musical. It’s a wonderful celebration of reading and literature as well. This is a time when people can really honor the original people of the land while having fun.

LeAnne: This book was kind of your first foray into your identity and family history, right?

Vanessa: Yes, absolutely. My main character actually has the last name Walker, which is the name of my ancestor from the Trail of Tears. It was a way to share my personal family history within a thriller and honor the legacy that many Cherokee and other tribes have of overcoming hardships while reminding everyone that we’re still here.

LeAnne: You’re also talking about future books. This is the first of several, right?

Vanessa: Yes! The sequel will be out this time next year, mostly set in Rhode Island where I live now, focusing on the Narragansett tribe. It’s been a wonderful opportunity to learn about tribes from all over the country, and I'm really excited to share that as well.

LeAnne: What goes into your research for these stories?

Vanessa: It’s not just coming from my imagination. It’s part history; you really want to understand where a culture and its people come from. You want to represent their traditions well. There's a lot of joy in Indigenous culture alongside the sad stories, so I try to balance that when I put a story together.

LeAnne: Your book "Blood Sisters" was featured on Good Morning America. What did that mean to you?

Vanessa: It was incredible to see Northeastern Oklahoma front and center on national news. The New York Times even. I’m grateful that we can share Cherokee culture and our pride in Northeastern Oklahoma through the pages of a book.

LeAnne: The paperback is out now, which is another reason to have you here to talk about it. You're going to have appearances tomorrow in Miami at Chapters, your hometown, and then on Sunday at Fulton. We’ll put that information out there. I also wanted to mention your beautiful necklace. So, Chapters is on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in Miami. Fulton Street Books will be on Sunday at 1 p.m. On Monday at Dream Keepers Park, there will be opening ceremonies at 9 a.m., followed by the parade at 11 a.m. The "Nanyehi" performance is happening then, along with the Cherokee art market this weekend.

Vanessa: There are 150 artists coming from all over the state, including Cherokee copper artists who made this beautiful necklace as a tribute to those on the Trail of Tears. Definitely stop by to learn more about what Indigenous artists are bringing to our community to celebrate Indigenous People's Day.

LeAnne: You’ll also have a chance to see the performance for "Nanyehi," with Wes Studi being a part of that as well.

Vanessa: Yes, it’s really special because there are thousands of descendants of "Nanyehi", including myself. Wes Studi and even the creator of the musical are also descendants. It’s a beautiful moment for all of us to celebrate our history, heritage, and connections.

LeAnne: Can you tell me a little bit about your personal connection to this history?

Vanessa: Sure! I believe I’m her seven-times-great granddaughter, so she has always been a part of our family and culture. To see her represented in a beautiful musical and to celebrate her as a leader and beloved woman of the Cherokee is so special and meaningful. Doing it together in that setting is just a perfect way to celebrate the weekend.