Cynthia Leitich Smith (she/her/hers)

Cynthia Leitich Smith is the best-selling, acclaimed author of books for all ages, including "Rain Is Not My Indian Name," "Indian Shoes," "Jingle Dancer" and "Hearts Unbroken." She is the author-curator of Heartdrum, a Native-focused imprint at HarperCollins Children's Books, and is on the core faculty of the M.F.A. program in Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts. She is an enrolled member of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and lives in Austin, Texas.

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Awards: 2021 Neustadt NSK Laureate, American Indian Library Association's Youth Literature Award (Hearts Unbroken)Dishchii’Bikoh High School Reader Award, Oklahoma Book Award, among many other national and state award lists

Heartdrum: Native Voices and Visions

Three Indigenous authors talk about their new books within an initiative called Heartdrum to publish books that reflect the heartbeat of Native communities. Their stories share their visions of the present and future viewed through their lived experiences as Native creators.

Helios Education Foundation Children/Teen Stage (Seats 1000)
Sun, Mar 7, 2021, 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Children / Teens
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Panelists: Christine Day, Cynthia Leitich Smith, Brian Young
Moderator: Celeste Trimble