Cheryl Savageau facts for kids
Cheryl Savageau is an American writer and poet. She was born on April 14, 1950. She is known for her poetry and stories that often share her Native American heritage.
Contents
About Cheryl Savageau
Cheryl Savageau has a special family background. She is part French-Canadian and part Abenaki. The Abenaki are a Native American people from the northeastern United States and Canada.
Her Early Life
Cheryl was born in Worcester, Massachusetts. However, she grew up in a small neighborhood on an island. This island was located on Lake Quinsigamond in Shrewsbury. She often writes about this lake and her childhood memories. For example, her children's book Muskrat Will Be Swimming shares stories from her time growing up by the water.
Her Education and Passion
Cheryl went to Clark University. There, she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She focused her studies on English and Philosophy. It was during her college years that she truly discovered her love for writing. She realized how writing could connect her with readers. Poetry and storytelling became her way to share stories about her ancestors and her Native culture.
Storytelling and Awards
Cheryl Savageau helped start a group called Oak and Stone Storytellers. This group performed stories for adults. They also visited schools and libraries to tell stories to children.
Throughout her career, Cheryl has received many awards for her work. Her children's book, Muskrat Will Be Swimming, won several honors:
- It was named a Smithsonian Notable Book in 1996.
- It received the Skipping Stones Award for children's Environmental Books in 1997.
- It won the Best Children's Book Award in 1997 from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers.
Cheryl also helps other writers. For her work in guiding young and new writers, she was honored as Mentor of the Year in 1998. This award also came from the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers. She has also won special awards for her poetry. These include fellowships from the Massachusetts Artists Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Her Creative Work
Cheryl's writing often focuses on retelling Abenaki stories. She especially likes to share stories about women and people who work hard. Besides writing, Cheryl is also a visual artist. She has shown her beautiful quilts, paintings, and other artworks in exhibitions.
