For my family fellow Cherokee citizens and children everywhere T S For Traci Wado for sharing your story F L Wado to Emilee Chavez the young Cherokee beta reader of every version of my story Ryan Mackey of the Cherokee Nation Community and Cultural Outreach Program Will Chavez of the Cherokee Phoenix the Cherokee Heritage Center staff especially Callie Chunestudy Brandi Ross and Jeff Edwards Durbin Feeling of the Cherokee Nation’s Cherokee Language Program for their assistance with this book Mr Feeling Cherokee language translator approved the transliterations pronunciation guides and syllabary for the Cherokee words used here I also offer immense gratitude to Frané Lessac who visited the Cherokee Nation experiencing its people culture history flora and fauna to bring its vibrant modern existence into this book T S
Cherokee people say otsaliheliga to express gratitude It is a reminder to celebrate our blessings and reflect on struggles daily throughout the year and across the seasons otsaliheliga oh-jah-LEE-hay-lee-gah ᎣᏣᎵᎮᎵᎦ we are grateful
Uligohvsdi Fall When cool breezes blow and leaves fall we say otsaliheliga
