OSU-COM CN Medical Library honors Indigenous voices with Talking Leaves collection

OSU-COM CN Medical Library honors Indigenous voices with Talking Leaves collection

Friday, January 16, 2026

Media Contact: Kayley Spielbusch | Digital Communications Specialist | 918-561-5759 | [email protected]

The Medical Library at the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine at the Cherokee Nation is highlighting Indigenous perspectives with the Talking Leaves book collection.

In 2021, Dr. Natasha Bray, dean of OSU-COM at the Cherokee Nation, invited the library to curate the collection in honor of the campus' history and founding mission.

"As the library serving the only tribally affiliated medical school in the United States, it is essential that we serve as a visible, accessible repository of Native American information and ensure these materials are prominently featured and easy to discover," said Sonya Settle, director of the Medical Library.

The collection is named in honor of the Cherokee scholar, Sequoyah, who invented the Cherokee written syllabary in 1821. Sequoyah referred to words on paper as "talking leaves."

Talking Leaves initially set a goal of 200 titles by June 2022, but has since expanded to 480, thanks to Bray's support and OSU-COM at the Cherokee Nation Health Resources and Service Administration grants.

"We are grateful for Dean Bray's strong support of the library, particularly her partnership in helping us develop the collection," Settle said.

When putting the collection together, staff consulted with Cherokee Nation citizens who suggested the name.

Each book in the collection also features an oak leaf on the spine label, symbolizing the eternal flame of the Cherokee people.

"This collection honors our partnership with the Cherokee Nation and recognizes the immense talent of Native American authors whose voices offer profound insight into the communities we serve," Bray said.

Talking Leaves extends beyond books on Indigenous health and medicine. It also includes both fiction and nonfiction books that explore tribal language, art, culture, history, governance and more.

Each is written by tribal citizens from the United States, Canada or Australia. Many in the collection are recommendations from tribal leaders, cultural and language departments across Oklahoma's tribes, and tribal citizens who have visited OSU-COM at the Cherokee Nation.

Bray said Talking Leaves serves as a reminder that tribal medicine is inseparable from culture and history.

"These books do more than fill shelves; they open windows into lived experiences," she said.

The library aims to continue elevating Indigenous voices and actively connect learners, educators and the broader community to the collection.

"The Talking Leaves Collection stands as a testament to the power of partnership, the importance of Indigenous voices in medical education, and our ongoing commitment to honoring the land and people who welcomed us here. We are proud of its growth and hope it continues to serve as a meaningful resource for our campus and the broader community for years to come," Bray said.