Tucson Festival of Books

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.


Panelists
Christine Day

Christine Day, a member of the Upper Skagit tribe, grew up in Seattle, where she was nestled between the sea, the mountains and the pages of her favorite books.  Her debut novel, "I Can Make This Promise," was a best book of the year from Kirkus, School Library Journal, NPR and the Chicago Public Library, as well as a Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book....

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Cynthia Leitich Smith

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....

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Brian Young

Author and filmmaker Brian Young is an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation. He grew up on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. Brian earned his B.A. in Film Studies at Yale University and his M.F.A. in Creative Writing at Columbia University....

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