The Museum of the Cherokee Indian Press is releasing a new book, The Memoirs of Robert Youngdeer: Marine, Chief, and Proud American. The author, Chief Robert S. Youngdeer, will be speaking Friday morning at 10am at the Aquoni Expo Center in Cherokee, as part of the Veterans’ Day events for the 100th Cherokee Fall Fair.
“We are proud to publish this outstanding work—Cherokee history by a Cherokee author,” said Ken Blankenship, Executive Director of the Museum.
Chief Youngdeer describes growing up in Cherokee, attending boarding school, joining the Marines, and being wounded in at Guadalcanal in World War II, for which he received the Purple Heart. He became an Army Paratrooper, and then worked as an Indian Policeman on reservations with the Lakota, Choctaw, Apache, Anishinabe, Inuit, and more. From 1983-1987 he served as Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
“Principal Chief Youngdeer has produced an extraordinary history for the Cherokee people through the telling of his life history. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has been blessed with exceptional leaders like Robert, and now our community has the opportunity to share his story,” commented Principal Chief Michell Hicks.
Publication of the book was made possible by a grant from the Cherokee Preservation Foundation.
The book is available in softcover, with 464 pages, thirty-seven photos, and an index. It retails for $25. For wholesale information or review copies contact the Museum.
Info: www.cherokeemuseum.org, 497-3481x 306 or bduncan@cherokeemuseum.org
– Museum of the Cherokee Indian
