Christopher B. Teuton (Cherokee Nation) is professor of American Indian studies at the University of Washington. He is author of Cherokee Stories of the Turtle Island Liars' Club. Hastings Shade (1941-2010) was deputy chief of the Cherokee Nation (1999-2003) and named a Cherokee National Treasure in 1991. Loretta Shade (1946-2021) was a master level speaker of the Cherokee language and named a Cherokee National Treasure in 2018. Larry Shade (Cherokee Nation) is an educator and cultural traditionalist. MaryBeth Timothy (Cherokee Nation) is an accomplished artist noted for depictions of Native life and the natural world.