When We Gather (Ostadahlisiha): A Cherokee Tribal Feast

This lyrical picture book written by Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee) and illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw) describes one Cherokee child’s family tradition of gathering wild onions for a big community meal, a significant tradition among several southeastern tribes and Nations.

Nothing welcomes spring like a wild onion dinner!

As the dirt warms and green sprouts poke up, a Cherokee girl joins her family in the hunt for green onions. Together, they pick enough to bring to a feast, which is cooked with love and shared by their community. Idalisdayvhvga! Let’s all eat!

Written with simple, sensory lyricism by Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee) and featuring warm, vibrant art by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw), this picture book celebrates the spring tradition of wild onion dinners—and the community and comfort that are shared when we gather.