Robert Conley

Robert Conley was a prolific American author, historian, and educator renowned for his extensive body of work focusing on Native American history and culture, particularly that of the Cherokee Nation. A member of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, he authored over 90 books, including novels, short story collections, and historical texts, becoming a leading voice in preserving and interpreting Indigenous perspectives. His career spanned academia and publishing, earning him numerous accolades for his contributions to Native American studies and American literature.

Early life and education

Robert Conley was born in 1947 in Oklahoma City, within the historical territory of the Cherokee Nation. He was an enrolled member of the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians, a federally recognized tribe. His early education took place in Oklahoma before he pursued higher studies, initially attending Midwestern State University in Wichita Falls. He later transferred to the University of New Mexico, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. Conley continued his academic pursuits at the University of Oklahoma, obtaining a Master of Arts degree, which solidified his foundation in historical research and literary craft.

Career

Conley's multifaceted career blended academia, writing, and institutional leadership within Native American studies. He served as a professor at several institutions, including Eastern Montana College (now Montana State University Billings), the University of South Dakota, and Morningside College. His academic work often intersected with his writing, focusing on authentic narratives of Indigenous peoples. Conley also held significant administrative roles, such as Director of the Cherokee Nation’s History and culture center and President of the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers, an organization dedicated to mentoring emerging Indigenous writers. His editorial work included contributions to publications like the American Indian Quarterly.

Major works and contributions

Robert Conley's literary output was vast and centered on the Cherokee experience. His acclaimed The Cherokee Nation: A History is considered a seminal text, providing a comprehensive account from a Cherokee viewpoint. His historical novel The Way of the Priests, part of the Real People series, vividly recreates pre-European contact Cherokee life. Other notable novels include Mountain Windsong: A Novel of the Trail of Tears, which explores the trauma of the Indian Removal Act, and The Actor, a mystery set in the Cherokee Nation. Conley also wrote several collections of short stories and contributed to anthologies like The Lightning Within: An Anthology of Contemporary American Indian Fiction.

Awards and recognition

Throughout his career, Robert Conley received significant honors for his writing and scholarly contributions. He was a three-time recipient of the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America for his novels. In 2007, he was awarded the Oklahoma Book Award for his body of work. Conley also received the Cherokee National Historical Society’s Distinguished Achievement Award and the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers and Storytellers’ Writer of the Year award. His induction into the Oklahoma Writers Hall of Fame and the Native American Journalists Association’s Circle of Honor further cemented his legacy as a pivotal figure in Native American literature.

Personal life

Robert Conley was married to Evelina Zuni Lucero, a noted Isleta Pueblo/Ohkay Owingeh writer and educator. The couple collaborated on various literary and educational projects, sharing a deep commitment to Indigenous cultural expression. He lived for many years in Albuquerque, where he was an active member of the local and national literary community. Conley passed away in 2024 in Albuquerque, leaving behind a profound legacy as a storyteller and historian who dedicated his life to illuminating the depth and resilience of Cherokee and broader Native American heritage.

Category:American historians Category:Cherokee writers Category:Native American novelists Category:American male novelists Category:Writers from Oklahoma Category:University of New Mexico alumni Category:University of Oklahoma alumni Category:Spur Award winners Category:1947 births Category:2024 deaths