Shepherd University Honors Local Native Author Clapsaddle
Appalachian Heritage Writer’s Award awarded to first Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians novelist
The Journal | Saturday, September 27, 2025
On September 25, at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education, Shepherd University's Appalachian Studies Director presented author Annette Clapsaddle with the Appalachian Heritage Writer’s Award. Clapsaddle, the first novelist from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, aims to share genuine insights into indigenous life through her debut novel, 'Even As We Breathe,' which explores the experiences of a Cherokee teenager during World War II. By engaging with themes of citizenship and representation, she hopes to reshape perceptions of Native Americans within literature, and her residency is part of a broader initiative to elevate indigenous voices in the region.
