The translation may be a first for any new fiction for any Indian tribe, according to Barbara Duncan, education director with the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. “In talking with Charles and Katherine, we were talking about the language and the efforts to keep it alive. They wanted to give something back."
October 03, 2006
Frazier gives back to Cherokee
Eastern Band translates ‘Thirteen Moons’The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians is translating the “Removal” section, including Frazier’s retelling of the Tsali story, into the Cherokee language. Frazier and his wife, Katherine, have given an initial $15,000 to the project.
The translation may be a first for any new fiction for any Indian tribe, according to Barbara Duncan, education director with the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. “In talking with Charles and Katherine, we were talking about the language and the efforts to keep it alive. They wanted to give something back." See also 'Cold Mountain' Author Promotes New Book.
The translation may be a first for any new fiction for any Indian tribe, according to Barbara Duncan, education director with the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. “In talking with Charles and Katherine, we were talking about the language and the efforts to keep it alive. They wanted to give something back."
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7 comments:
Writerfella here --
The problem is, Frazier got an $8 million advance on royalties. $15,000 is chump change, but then again, Cherokees only donated their history to his book, THIRTEEN MOONS. That means they each get $1.27 apiece! Damn, and I'm Kiowa!
All Best
Russ Bates
'writerfella'
Sure, Frazier could do more. But this is the first time I've heard of an author doing even this much.
Besides, the historical record is not some sort of intellectual property to be possessed or donated (even if it can be mangled or abused).
Writerfella here --
You both have irony-deficiency anemia. The Cherokee$ $old out cheap, and Frazier get$ million$ in free pre$$ for THIRTEEN MOON$.
And doubly-so, since Frazier also turned Cherokee history into HIS own intellectual property. Who is zooming whom?
All Best
Russ Bates
'writerfella'
Cherokee hi$tory is now Frazier's intellectual property? Does this mean that the dozen$ of book$ already written have to go out of print, and future writer$ who write about Cherokee history will have to pay him a royalty?
(I thought you did not like that tribe anyway)
I think Frazier donated the money voluntarily. The Cherokees didn't ask him or require him to pay. (Not that they could have required him to pay, mind you.) So I don't think you can say they "sold out cheap."
writerfella here --
No, THIRTEEN MOONS is Frazier's intellectual property and Cherokee history is a part of it, without which he would have had no book or story. Whether I like or dislike a particular tribe does not mean I would ignore precedents they may be setting for all other tribes.
All Best
Russ Bates
'writerfella'
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