We Refuse to Forget: A True Story of Black Creeks, American Identity, and Power (Riverhead Books, 2022)

Saturday, September 24, 2022
1:30 PM
Lewes Public Library, Meeting Room

About the book
Two centuries ago the Creek Nation in Oklahoma both owned slaves and accepted Black people as full citizens. Thanks to the efforts of Creek leaders like Cow Tom, a Black Creek citizen who became chief, the U.S. government recognized Creek citizenship for its Black members in 1866. Yet in the 1970s, tribal leaders revoked the citizenship of Black Creeks, even those who could trace their history back generations. Caleb Gayle explores why this happened, how the government was involved, and what Black Creeks are doing to regain their citizenship.

About the author
Caleb Gayle is an award-winning journalist who writes about the impact of history on race and identity. His work has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic, The Guardian, Guernica, and other publications.

Gayle was in conversation with Chief Dennis Coker at the event.

Dennis Coker is the principal chief of the Lenape Indian Tribe of Delaware. He is a past chair of the Confederation of Sovereign Nanticoke-Lenape Tribes of the Delaware Bay and is a member of the National Congress of the American Indian and the Alliance of Colonial Era Tribes.

Purchase the book
Please help support local independent bookstores by purchasing this book at Browseabout Books, official bookseller of the History Book Festival. Online sources and digital versions are tempting; however, supporting local brick and mortar shops helps to preserve our vibrant main streets. Drop by Browseabout, order books online, or call the store at 302-226-2665. You also may purchase a copy at biblion in Lewes.

About the Festival
With the help of our presenting sponsors—Delaware Humanities and The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices I PenFed Realty—as well as our community partners and volunteers, the 2022 History Book Festival was full of great discussions with authors of newly published narrative nonfiction and historical fiction.

Special thanks to Lewes Public Library, for venue and assistance with event promotion; to Browseabout Books in Rehoboth, our official bookseller; and to the Cape Gazette and Delmarva Public Media, our media partners.

Mark your calendars for the 2023 History Book Festival. Join our authors, interviewers, and other attendees at live events throughout the weekend of September 29, 30, and October 1.