CoCC Gathering Sat Feb 19

Brad Wagnon is a lifelong resident of the Gideon Community and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation.

He is a graduate of Tahlequah High School (1997) and Northeastern State University (2001) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and Native American Studies.

Brad taught Cherokee History, Culture and Language at Tahlequah High School for 10 years (August 2005-May 2015)

Brad has worked for Cherokee Nation Community and Cultural Outreach since June 2015. His current title is Community Outreach Coordinator. He trains community leaders on how to better serve their communities and how to manage non-profits. He has also traveled as a speaker for CCO on Cherokee historical and cultural topics.

Brad has written three Cherokee Children’s Books, “How the World was Made” in 2015, “The Land of the Great Turtles” 2018 and “The First Fire” in 2021. All books are available through Native Voices Books and most online book retailers.

Brad is a public speaker, historian and storyteller. History is his passion. He also volunteers with the Cherokee Nation Incident Management Team and a retired Lieutenant from the Gideon Fire Department. He also cares for and collects bonsai trees, a recent hobby he has picked up during the covid pandemic.

Brad lives in Gideon with his wife Tanya and next door to his mom, Judy. Brad enjoys spending time with family, including his son Rocky, daughter in law, Pamela, twin brother, Brian, sister law, Ashley and his nephews Isaac and Levi and niece, Anna. Without his family he would have not been inspired to begin writing books.