Writer’s Conference at Angelo State University

Author Anne Hillerman discussed on March 23 and 24 the influence of the Navajo

culture on her best-selling novels at ASU’s Writer’s Conference.

“There are so many characters in the West that can be appreciated,” she said.

“Hillerman’s “The Spider Woman’s Daughter” presents a Navajo policewoman, Bernie

Manuelito, as the main character. The story focuses on Bernie’s struggles when trying to solve a

shooting case.

“I saw great potential in Bernie,” Hillerman said. “I knew that she didn’t need to be

saved.”

Hillerman followed in her late father Tony Hillerman’s footsteps and debuted her novel,

“The Spider Woman’s Daughter” in 2013. Her father wrote 18 novels, the “Leaphorn and Chee

Novels.” The books are a series of Navajo mysteries.

Her father’s novels featured Jim Chee, a Navajo policeman. She said Jim previously had

unsuccessful romantic relationships. In her first book, she introduces Jim and Bernie as husband

and wife for the first time.

Hillerman said she chose to focus on the relationships between the major and minor

characters.

Hillerman said Bernie’s mother was a textile weaver. She included that concept in

Bernie’s journey in solving the case.

“The Navajo society is highly matriarchal,” Hillerman said.

“Weaving is an important metaphor,” she said, “Bernie ‘weaves’ the case.”

Hillerman said research shapes her stories.

 “Research sometimes even changes the story,” she said.

Hillerman said that although the Navajo people are happy to talk to her, she does not

want to overstep her boundaries. She said she asks people of the Navajo community to read her

books before the books are published.

Hillerman gave the example of one of her novels in which a young Navajo boy asked for

help on the side of the road.

“The man I spoke to said that wouldn’t have happened,” she said. “The boy would get

help from his family because they knew he would need it.”

She said she learned the Navajo people place importance on community and feeling like

one is cared for.

Sophomore Jennifer Sauceda said Hillerman taught her the importance of research.

“I liked how involved Hillerman is with the Navajo nation and how she learned about

Navajos by seeing them and talking to them,” Sauceda said. “I learned the best research is

actually talking to people and finding out who they are.”

Hillerman said it is important to make connections in the community.

“The culture is changing,” she said. “Navajos generally don’t mind sharing their culture

as long as it is done respectfully.”