WNDB recently learned about the passing of Charlene Willing McManis, who participated in our Mentorship program. We express our deepest condolences to her family and friends.
Ms. McManis was born in Portland, Oregon, and was a tribal member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde. She served 8 years in the United States Navy and later worked as a writer. In 2016, she applied for and was chosen to participate in WNDB’s inaugural cycle of our Mentorship program. She was paired with Young People’s Poet Laureate Margarita Engle.
“I love Charlene like a sister, even though we never met in person,” Ms. Engle commented via email. “I learned as much from her as she did from me, even though I was her Her WNDB Mentor. I love her book. Her story is important and necessary. It was an honor to work with her.”
Ms. McManis’s book INDIAN NO MORE is scheduled to be published by Tu Books in 2019.She is survived by her husband Roger A. McManis, their children, and their grandchildren.
