A Home for Easter is a captivating tale set during the tumultuous 1830s removal period for First Nations people in the United States. Follow Easter, a resilient Cherokee woman, as she embarks on a journey through middle Tennessee in search of a new home for herself and her unborn child. But her quest is fraught with peril as she finds herself pursued by a ruthless criminal intent on claiming her ancestral lands. Dale Marie Taylor writes an engaging tale of a woman's resilience and determination.
Joined by her steadfast companion, Arter, Easter braves treacherous snowstorms and confronts the dangers of being kidnapped by her relentless pursuer. Meanwhile, her older brother, Degataga, makes sacrifices to hold onto their family's lands, while her sister, Lucinda, forges a new life in the Qualla territory of North Carolina (Eastern Band of Cherokee) alongside Walking Bird. Easter's younger brother, Wahali, marches with those thousands who suffered the Trail of Tears - west to what would become Oklahoma.
Central to Easter's story is her half-sister, Awinta, whose experiences shed light on the intersectionality of First Nations African Americans within Cherokee society-some enslaved, others integrated into clans. As the narrative unfolds, it offers insight into how diverse groups navigated the challenges of political upheaval, social strife, and economic turmoil, ultimately surviving and even merging during times of adversity.
Exploring the matrilineal structure of Cherokee families and touching on the complex issue of polyandry, A Home for Easter weaves a rich tapestry of resilience, courage, and the enduring strength of familial bonds. Taylor's vivid prose transports readers to a bygone era, immersing them in a poignant saga of survival and hope against the backdrop of historical injustice.
