Tommy Orange is a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes of Oklahoma, but he grew up in Oakland. His new novel, “There There,” is set in Oakland. His many disparate characters -- all urban Indians -- struggle with what it means to be Native and struggle to connect with disappearing traditions.
The challenges of being Native American in Oakland
From this Episode:
Credits
Host:
Madeleine Brand
Producers:
Sarah Sweeney,
Michell Eloy,
Amy Ta,
Christian Bordal,
Quinn O'Toole,
Yael Even Or,
Alexandra Sif Tryggvadottir
Image of author Tommy Orange and his novel "There, There" courtesy of Orange.