How a digital storyteller sought to make invisible urban Native communities visible

Wars & Conflicts · Published 17 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before becoming a MacArthur Fellow, Tommy Orange worked in a digital storytelling booth, recording oral histories. This experience sparked a literary mission: to move beyond stereotypes and reflect the complex, often unseen lives of Native Americans living in urban environments.

For many, the concept of Native American identity is tied to historical or rural imagery. However, Tommy Orange, born in Oakland, California, in 1982, sought to expand this range. His inspiration for his acclaimed debut, There There, emerged while he was working at the Native American Health Center and the Story Center, a nonprofit founded by the University of California, Berkeley. In these roles, his tasks ranged from recording oral stories to the ritualistic burning of sage and preparing grants.

This work led to a profound realization: urban Native populations are often 'invisible' to the broader public. Orange believed that by telling stories that reflected the lives of urban Natives, members of that community could see themselves 'reflected in a bigger way,' fostering a sense of belonging and strength. This mission was realized in his 2018 novel, There There, which earned a 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction nomination and the American Book Award.

Orange's literary journey is marked by a deep connection to his roots and a diverse professional background. A former national-level roller hockey player, he also studied audio engineering and sound arts. His second novel, Wandering Stars, released in 2024, was longlisted for the Booker Prize and drew its title from a 1994 Portishead song. Despite the success of his debut, Orange expressed concern that a follow-up might be viewed as a 'cash grab,' even though his decision to write it predated the initial success of his first book.

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