In Chikasha Stories, Volume One: Shared Spirit, premier Chickasaw storyteller and tribal elder Glenda Galvan tells traditional stories drawn from the tribe’s oral traditions. Illustrating the tales are original artworks by award-winning Chickasaw artist Jeannie Barbour. This long-awaited and much-needed volume, a groundbreaking work for the Chickasaw Press, is the first of an important series of books intended to revive and maintain the storytelling tradition so vital to the roots of Chickasaw and Native culture. Born into the Fox Clan of the Chickasaws, Glenda Galvan is her clan’s storyteller. She has served on numerous museum boards and often travels to share her culture and tell traditional southeastern stories. As a Chickasaw historian, artist, and author, Jeannie Barbour also serves as an advocate for Native American issues, specifically the protection of Southeastern tribal history, culture, art, sacred sites, and artifacts.

When the idea of presenting Chickasaw stories in written form was first suggested by tribal elder and storyteller Glenda Galvan, it quickly became apparent that not all of those stories would fit in one book. In Chikasha Stories, Volume One: Shared Spirit, Glenda Galvan first shared her stories with the world. The Chickasaw Press proudly continues the preservation of the Nation’s storytelling by recording more of Ms. Galvan’s narratives. Chikasha Stories, Volume Two: Shared Voices carries on the tradition of the first volume with six new tales, illustrated with original artwork by award-winning Chickasaw artist Jeannie Barbour. Intended to revive and maintain Chickasaw storytelling, and with a nod to past storytellers, the tales are told in both Chickasaw and English. While presented as children’s stories, each tale teaches important life lessons. Shared Voices highlights the value placed on storytellers and reveals why their role in the tribe is so honored. Delightful for readers young and old, these stories also serve as a valuable introduction to the Chickasaw language.

In Chikasha Stories, Volume One: Shared Spirit, Chickasaw storyteller and tribal elder Glenda Galvan first shared some of her favorite stories with the world. Each story is illuminated with original illustrations, inspired by tribal history and culture, by renowned Chickasaw artist Jeannie Barbour. In Chikasha Stories, Volume Two: Shared Voices, Galvan and Barbour continued the storytelling tradition so vital to Chickasaw culture. Now with Chikasha Stories, Volume Three: Shared Wisdom, Galvan and Barbour complete their invaluable series. Guaranteed to delight readers young and old, these stories—told in both Chickasaw and English—serve as a valuable introduction to the Chickasaw language. Shared Wisdom also highlights the value placed on storytellers and reveals why their role is so honored in the Chickasaw Nation. The first book in the series, Chikasha Stories, Volume One: Shared Spirit won the 2012 Oklahoma Book Award in the Children’s Book category. Chickasaw Press published the second volume, Chikasha Stories, Volume Two: Shared Voices, in 2012.