Sophia Alice Callahan

Wynema Sophia Alice Callahan

Wynema: A Child of the Forest is a protofeminist novel that also denounces the inequalities suffered by American Indians. It is believed to be the first novel written by a woman of Native American descent and the first novel written in Oklahoma. Wynema tells the story of a Muscogee Creek girl named Wynema Harjo and her teacher, Genevieve Weir. The novel introduces the reader to traditional American Indian customs, such as festivals, dances, rituals and food. It also covers major themes that are representative of the time, like the women's suffrage movement, Indian allotment and the infamous massacre at Wounded Knee. This version of Wynema is based on the first edition text of 1891, as originally published. Edited with an introduction, biography and further reading list by Truewind Books.