Shepherdstown Honors Local Author with Heritage Writing Award
‘I’m not Disney Pocahontas’: Appalachian Heritage Writer’s Award awarded to first Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians novelist
The Shepherdstown Chronicle | Thursday, October 2, 2025
By Staff
In a notable event at the Robert C. Byrd Center for Congressional History & Education, Shepherd University honored Annette Saunooke Clapsaddle, the first novelist from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, with the Appalachian Heritage Writer’s Award. Clapsaddle's debut novel, 'Even As We Breathe,' explores the life of a Cherokee teenager in the 1940s, intertwining themes of identity and historical context relevant to the region's indigenous roots. By showcasing her work, Clapsaddle aims to combat stereotypes surrounding Native American portrayals in literature, emphasizing the need for authentic voices in storytelling. The event reflects the commitment of local cultural organizations to celebrate and elevate indigenous narratives in the community.
