Chickasaw Press, White Dog Press and Leaning Pole Press, the publishing imprints of the Chickasaw Nation, have announced five titles released in the fall of 2024. These include “Chikasa 1889: The Collins-Gatschet Chickasaw Manuscripts,” “Let’s Speak Chickasaw: Chikashshanompa' Kilanompoli',” “Loksi' Ishkin Homma' (Turtle’s Red Eyes),” “Ofi' Tohbi' Ishto' and the Chickasaw Clan Animals” and “Little Big Girl.”
“Chikasa 1889: The Collins-Gatschet Chickasaw Manuscripts,” edited by Lokosh (Joshua D. Hinson, Ph.D.), Juliet Morgan, Ph.D., Samantha Cornelius, Ph.D. and Kimberly Johnson, Ph.D.
“Chikasa 1889: The Collins-Gatschet Chickasaw Manuscripts” presents a rare glimpse into two of the oldest and most complete Chickasaw language documents. The manuscripts were originally composed in the late 19th century by Chickasaw speaker and politician J.D. Collins and noted linguist Albert Samuel Gatschet. Featuring images of the original handwritten notebooks, housed at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Anthropological Archives, these full-length manuscripts demonstrate the remarkable consistency and evolution of Chickasaw language throughout decades of history.
“Let’s Speak Chickasaw: Chikashshanompa' Kilanompoli'” by Pamela Munro and Catherine Willmond.
A classic and popular book of instruction in the Chickasaw language, first published in 2008 by the University of Oklahoma Press, will now be reprinted under Chickasaw Press.
“Chikashshanompa' Kilanompoli': Let’s Speak Chickasaw” was developed by the late native speaker and Chickasaw elder Catherine Willmond and Pamela Munro, a leading linguist at the University of California, Los Angeles. Willmond and Munro also collaborated to produce “Chickasaw: An Analytical Dictionary,” long regarded as essential by linguists and learners of the language since its publication in 1994.
This title is the first complete grammar study and textbook of the Chickasaw language and includes 20 units that cover pronunciation, word building, sentence structure and usage, as well as a CD to provide examples of spoken Chickasaw.
The reprinted publication also includes a refreshing new cover featuring the Chickasaw Nation Language Preservation Division’s “Anompa” logo.
“Loksi' Ishkin Homma' (Turtle’s Red Eyes)” as told by Pauline Brown and illustrated by Lauren John.
“Loksi' Ishkin Homma' (Turtle’s Red Eyes)” is part of the Nannanoli' (Story) Series. It’s a colorfully illustrated Chickasaw oral story as told by the late Chickasaw elder Pauline Brown. Readers can scan a QR code to hear the fluent speaker share this traditional story in Chikashshanompa' (the Chickasaw language). The Nannanoli' (Story) Series is a line of titles that combine the Chickasaw traditions of language and storytelling.
“Ofi' Tohbi' Ishto' and the Chickasaw Clan Animals” by W.T. Skye Garcia and illustrated by Sarah A. Gilmore Garcia.
“Ofi' Tohbi' Ishto' and the Chickasaw Clan Animals” combines Chickasaw culture with piano literacy. Meet Ofi' Tohbi' and his friends through six early elementary to elementary level piano solos. Written and composed by W.T. Skye Garcia and illustrated by Sarah A. Gilmore Garcia, these imaginative songs highlight Chickasaw culture for pianists of all ages.
“Little Big Girl” by Amanda Cobb-Greetham, Ph.D. and illustrated by Danielle R. Fixico.
“Little Big Girl” follows the story of a shelter dog. After losing her family, Little Girl faces the loneliness of living at the shelter and struggles to find a home because many find her “too big.” When an adoption fair is held in the park, she’s determined to find a family that will love her just the way she is. Through a humorous approach, “Little Big Girl” touches on themes of loss, hope and belonging, giving families an avenue to discuss these complicated emotions comfortably and openly with children.
About the Chickasaw Press
Chickasaw Press was created in response to the basic need of the Chickasaws to share their own history and stories. Established as an entity of the Chickasaw Nation in 2006, the Chickasaw Press is the first tribal publishing entity of its kind.
While the Chickasaw Press focuses on scholarly and nonfiction works, White Dog Press allows the Chickasaw Nation to further share the history, culture and experiences of the Chickasaw people through literary categories such as historical fiction, children’s books, young adult literature, how-to books, travel writing and other categories. Leaning Pole Press, the newest imprint, provides an outlet for Chickasaw authors and scholars to create exceptional published works that encompass a variety of genres and subjects beyond the Chickasaw historical and cultural experience.
For more information about Chickasaw Press or upcoming fall releases, visit ChickasawPress.com or call (580) 436-7282.