Famous Oklahomans are no secret and, in fact, are often overlooked and taken forgranted.However,whena person does a little research, it is easy to see that the landscape of famous people is well anchored with Oklahomans who have etched out their names in history. Tony Hillerman, an American author born May 27, 1925 in Sacred Heart, Okla., is one of those Oklahomans.
Sacred Heart was originally named Sacred Heart Mission as it was established, in American History, on the old Pottawatomie reserve land by a Catholic mission colony. The names Leaphorn and Chee may not ring a bell to many but lately the AMC drama series “Dark Winds” has definitely became a regular name to many folks. Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee are the fictional protagonists in Hillerman’s eighteen book detective mystery novels as Navajo Nation Police Officers.
Hillerman’s best-selling book series was adapted for the television series “Dark Winds” by indiginous talent and star Zahn McClarnon whoteamedwithGeorgeR.R. Martin and Robert Redford to adapt the best–selling series shot at Camel Rock Studios - a Native American owned film and TV studio according to The Hollywood Reporter.com.
The Navajo series was Hillerman’s most notable work, however, it was part of a long list of other Native American theme based books. Hillerman attended St. Mary’s Academy, a boarding school that was primarily for Native American girls.
Hillerman then attended Konawa High School that wasalsomostlyNativeAmerican and it is evident that the influence of these institutions had a strong bearing on his understanding of Native Americans in society as this is reflected throughout many of his novels.
After primary school, Hillerman was a decorated combat veteran of WWII serving as a motorman in the 103rd Infantry Division in the European theatre. After the war, Hillerman attended the University of Oklahoma graduating in 1948 with Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism.
Later in life, Hillerman attended the University of New Mexico earning his master’s degree. Hillerman later returned to the University of New Mexico to teach journalism from 1966 through 1987 after years spent in the field of journalism. It was there that he began writing his novels.
Searching for Hillerman’s influence on the world is a fulfilling task for any writer but when they stumble upon his influence on one of Oklahoma’s own prominent writers, the thrill is on. Chickasaw author and story teller, Mary Ruth Barnes, shared her personal experience and collision with the influence of the late Hillerman.Barnes enjoyed talking about her connection with Hillerman.
“Funny you would tell me about Tony Hillerman, as I have a great story about him myself”, she said in a phone interview.
Barnes went on to tell the story of one of her first short stories of which she entered into the Tony Hillerman short story contest a while back.
“I sent my short story to the contest address by certified mail and after many attempts at confirmation of receipt, I finally got an email from Mrs. Hillerman, Tony’s wife who was putting on the contest,” Barnes said. “She informed me that she had not received my short story and was very sorry but the date for submission had passed.”
Even though Barnes’s story didn’t make the contest deadline, Barnes said Mrs. Hillerman still enjoyed reading it once it arrived.
“So, my short story never made it, but six months later, I received a phone call and it was Mrs. Hillerman saying that she received my short story that day and it was fantastic and went on to say that I should submit it anywhere I wanted because it was a perfect story,” Barnes said. “So, I made a few changes and submitted it to the Chickasaw Press and it was published. My story never made the Hillerman Short Story contest but it was the beginning of my short story and novelist career”.
An interesting story about Hillerman’s Leaphorn and Chee stories is that it took years after they were published to gain noteriety. Needeless to say, Native American stories are becoming more widely accepted. Anotherchancymomentthat Hillerman squelched was reaveled by Hollywood reporter. com when the author told the Los Angeles Times the story of when he pitched his first Joe Leaphorn book to an agent.
“She told me the only chance of selling it was to get rid of all the Indian stuff – it slowed down the book,” Hillerman said in the interview. “Itoldherthatwasthereason I was writing the book.”
Hillerman didn’t just dream up Native American stories, he took the time to take a real look into the lives of many and drew a verbal portrait of what they endured.
While writing for the Borger County newspaper in Texas, Hillerman became acquainted with the sheriff who became the main character in his Joe Leaphorn novels.
After leaving quite a mark on the world, Hillerman passedawayOctober26,2008 at his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico, leaving a long trail of books and accolades.