Vroman’s Bookstore: Joey Clift, in conversation with Ally Beardsley and illustrator Julie Fiveash, discusses We’ve Been Here the Whole Time!

Peabody and Emmy-nominated Native comedian Joey Clift takes you on a journey to discover the largest population you don’t know in his hilarious debut for fans of Michael Harriot, Mo Rocca, and Phoebe Robinson.
Foreword by Shane Hawk, writer and co-editor of Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology!
Put away the construction paper: This contraband book is here to teach you everything your high school refused to teach about Native American history, people, and culture. From misunderstood figures like Pocahontas, to sports mascots, to the Land Back movement, to how cool Lily Gladstone is, this hilarious NDN-approved guide is the first of its kind–illustrated in an irreverent, textbook-meets-notebook style by DinÃ(c) artist Julie Fiveash. Share with your loved ones and transform your boring Thanksgiving into a big “You’re Welcome” dance party!
Joey Clift (Cowlitz tribe) walks you through a wide range of information that will answer provocative questions and debunk Americans’ wildest assumptions, like:
- “Native American” or “American Indian” What the heck do we call you?
- Is it appropriate to do a Land Acknowledgement over Zoom?
- Why saying “I’m 1/16th Cherokee” is like saying you’re “1/16th Californian’
- Columbus Day is a holiday for a guy who was bad at pretty much everything
- Are Native American people extinct? No! Stop asking!
This giftable, conversation-starting book is perfect for history buffs, teachers, and comedy lovers alike. Funny, fearless, and deeply informative, Joey Clift’s debut reminds readers that Native people aren’t just part of history–they’ve been here the whole time.
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