Devon A. Mihesuah Facts for Kids

Devon Abbott Mihesuah (born June 2, 1957) is a well-known Choctaw historian and writer. She is an enrolled citizen of the Choctaw Nation, which means she is officially recognized as a member of the Choctaw tribe. She used to be an editor for American Indian Quarterly, a magazine about Native American topics.

Currently, she is a special professor at the University of Kansas. She holds the Cora Lee Beers Price Professorship, which is a very important teaching position. She is only the second Native American woman to receive such a distinguished professorship.

Devon Abbott Mihesuah's family history is very important. Her great-great-great-grandfather signed the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek, a significant agreement in Choctaw history. Her family has a long connection to the Choctaw Nation, with relatives serving in important roles within the tribe. For example, her great-grandfather, Thomas Abbott, helped design the town of McAlester, Oklahoma.

Mihesuah has written many award-winning books and articles. Her work often focuses on important topics like:

The effects of colonization on Native peoples.
The history of Native American boarding schools.
Challenging stereotypes about Indigenous people.
The importance of Indigenous women's voices.
Protecting Native cultures and environments.
Fighting against false information and unfair treatment of Native Americans.

She also writes award-winning novels, which are fictional stories.

Awards and Recognitions

Devon Abbott Mihesuah has received many awards for her writing and research. These awards show how important her work is in understanding Native American history and culture.

For Indigenous Food Sovereignty in the U.S.: Restoring Cultural Knowledge, Protecting Environments, and Regaining Health:

* Daniel F. Austin Award from the Society for Economic Botany. * Gourmand International's World Cookbook Awards: Best Book Award. * Named one of "This Season’s Best Reads" by High Country News. * Included in Literary Hub's Best of University Press Books. * Listed in EcoWatch's Best Environmental Books.

For Ned Christie: The Creation of an Outlaw and Cherokee Hero:

* Oklahoma Writer's Federation Trophy Award for Best Non-Fiction Book. * Finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award.

For Document of Expectations:

* Trophy Award for the Best Fiction Book of 2011 from the Oklahoma Writers' Federation.

For Choctaw Crime and Punishment, 1884-1907:

* Outstanding Book on Oklahoma History Award from the Oklahoma Historical Society. * Trophy Award for the Best Non-Fiction Book of 2009 from the Oklahoma Writers' Federation. * Finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award.

For Recovering Our Ancestors’ Gardens: Indigenous Recipes and Guide to Diet and Fitness:

* Special Award of the Jury of the Gourmand World Cookbook Awards. * Finalist for Best in the World Cookbook.

For So You Want to Write About American Indians? A Guide for Scholars, Students and Writers:

* Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers' Best Research Book of the Year. * Finalist for the Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights.

For Grand Canyon Rescue:

* Finalist for the Oklahoma Book Awards. * Arizona Writers’ Association Best Book of the Year.

For American Indigenous Women: Decolonization, Empowerment, Activism:

* Oklahoma Writers’ Federation Trophy Award for Best Non-Fiction Book.

For Lost and Found:

* Oklahoma Writers’ Federation Trophy Award for Young Adult Novel Award.

For her work as an editor:

* Wordcrafters’ Circle of Native Writers’ Journal Editor of the Year Award for the American Indian Quarterly, 2001.

For The Roads of My Relations:

* Oklahoma Writers’ Federation Trophy Award for Best Fiction Book.

For Natives and Academics: Researching and Writing About American Indians:

* Critics' Choice Award from the American Educational Studies Association.

For Cultivating the Rosebuds:

* Critics' Choice Award from the American Educational Studies Association.

Mihesuah has also received awards and support from many other important organizations, including the American Council of Learned Societies, the Ford Foundation, and the Smithsonian Institution. At Northern Arizona University (NAU), where she used to teach, she received awards for being an outstanding faculty member and for her leadership.

Devon A. Mihesuah facts for kids

Awards and Recognitions

See also