NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.
NDN All-Stars Podcast - Season 01, Episode 05 - Author Traci Sorrell speaking about her children's book "Contenders"
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this episode of the Indian All-Stars Podcast, host Bill Black sits down with award-winning Cherokee author Traci Sorrell to talk about her powerful new picture book Contenders. Co-created with illustrator Arigon Starr, the book tells the story of two Native baseball giants—NDN All-Star #5 Charles Bender (Ojibwe) and NDN All-Star #18 John Tortes Meyers (Cahuilla)—who faced off in the 1911 World Series. Traci shares how the story came together, the deep history behind these players, and the ongoing fight for Native representation in sports and children's literature.
Topics Covered:
- Traci Sorrell’s background, education, and motivation to write for young readers
- The erasure of Native voices in U.S. education and media
- The origins of Contenders and the untold story of the “Indian vs. Indian” 1911 World Series
- Baseball’s deep connection to Native communities
- Boarding schools, sports exploitation, and the pathways Bender and Meyers took to the majors
- Racism in early 20th-century sports and echoes today (including St. Louis Cardinals pitcher & NDN All-Star #90 Ryan Helsley (Cherokee) and his stance on the tomahawk chop)
- A behind-the-scenes look at the stunning art by Arigon Starr
- Why it’s crucial for libraries and schools to stock Native-created books
- The legacy of Bender and Meyers, and why they still matter to baseball and Native youth today
Guest Bio:
Traci Sorrell is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and an acclaimed author of children's and young adult books. Her works, including We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga and Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer, have received numerous awards. A former advocate and policy analyst, Sorrell uses her writing to challenge outdated narratives and spotlight Native excellence past and present. Her newest book, Contenders, celebrates two Native baseball heroes whose stories deserve to be remembered.
Resources & Links:
- Buy Contenders by Traci Sorrell & Arigon Starr: Buy on Amazon
- Author Traci Sorrell's website: https://www.tracisorell.com/
- Learn more about Charles Bender and John Meyers at ndnallstars.com
- Follow the NDN All-Stars Podcast on your favorite platform
- Request Native-authored books like Contenders at your local library
If you care about Native stories, Native voices, and Native athletes, do us a favor: read Contenders, share it with your school or library, and support Native creators like Traci and Arigon. Subscribe to the podcast for more stories from the people who’ve shaped the game—on and off the field.
This book is highly recommended - and it gets an NDN All-Stars 5 Star rating! Get it here!
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NDN ALL-STARS BACKGROUND
Hey there—I'm Bill Black, and welcome to the NDN All-Stars Podcast. If this is your first time hearing about us, let me tell you what we’re all about.
This podcast is where Native sports history comes alive. Each episode shines a spotlight on the great Native American athletes you should know—past and present. From Hall of Famers to hometown heroes, we tell the stories of Native athletes who made their mark—on the field, on the court, and in history.
We keep it real. No sugar-coating. No museum talk. Just straight-up stories told with pride and purpose—because representation matters, and these All-Stars deserve to be remembered right.
Some episodes are deep dives into a single athlete’s life. Others bring on guests—historians, authors, even the athletes themselves—who help us connect the dots between culture, identity, and achievement.
Whether you’re Native, a sports fan, a history buff, or just curious—this podcast will give you a new perspective on what greatness really looks like.
So if you're ready to learn, laugh, and maybe even get a little fired up—hit that follow button and join the team.
You can find more stories, merch, and updates at NDNAllStars.com. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube—just search for NDN All-Stars and you’ll find us.
NDN All-Stars – Promoting Great Native Athletes – Past & Present!
