Wednesday, April 20th, 1:00pm CDT
Join acclaimed authors Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee), Anton Treuer (Leech Lake, Ojibwe), and Printz Honor-author Eric Gansworth (Onondaga) as they discuss the importance of Native storytelling, representation, and perspectives in YA literature, with Levine Querido Executive Editor, Nick Thomas. Follow along as they discuss the challenges and struggles Indigenous writers face—inside and outside their respective communities—as well as the opportunities they see for elevating the role of Indigenous narratives and storytelling structures within popular culture. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of the need for Native representation (both fiction and nonfiction, verse and prose) in the library and in the classroom.
Speakers
Eric Gansworth
Author
Eric Gansworth, Sˑha-weñ na-saeˀ, is an enrolled Onondaga writer and visual artist from the Tuscarora Nation. His award-winning books include If I Ever Get Out of Here, Give Me Some Truth, Extra Indians, and Apple (Skin to the Core)—winner of the Michael L. Printz Honor and the American Indian Youth Literature Award. He is a professor and Lowery Writer in Residence at Canisius College.
Andrea L. Rogers
Author
Andrea L. Rogers is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and grew up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In 2020, she published Mary and the Trail of Tears. Her work has also appeared in You Too? 25 Voices Share Their #MeToo stories, Ancestor Approved: Intertribal Stories for Kids, and in the anthology Allies.
Anton Treuer
Author
Anton Treuer (pronounced troy-er) is a professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University and an author of 18 books. His equity, education, and cultural work has put him on a path of service around the region, the nation, and the world. His newest book for young people, Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians but Were Afraid to Ask: Young Readers Edition is a recipient of a Golden Kite Award.
Nick Thomas
Editor
Nick Thomas, Executive Editor with Levine Querido, was previously the senior editor at Arthur A. Levine Books where he started as an editorial assistant. He also held positions with Bloomsbury, Chicken House, and David Fickling Books before returning to his AALB roots. He edits middle grade and young adult books, and looks for stories that change something about you by the time you’re finished reading them.
