Biography

Celia Stall-Meadows is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. Since 2016, she’s managed a team of tribal researchers. Currently, she serves as editor for a 400-page Choctaw History Book project for the tribe. Prior to working for the tribe, she was a university professor. She’s authored research articles, educational case studies, book chapters, trade books, and textbooks.

While many of her publications have been nonfiction, she appreciates the endless opportunities for creativity and imagination that come with fiction writing. And because of her tribal immersion, her books and stories are written through an Indigenous lens.

Stall-Meadows and her sister, Leslie Stall-Widener co-edited an anthology, Stories by Choctaw Women published by Choctaw Cultural Center in 2022. Two of the fictional short stories, “Influenza!” and “Rose’s Lieutenant” were authored by Stall-Meadows. Her first fiction short story was “Talking in Code” in the Hometown Heroes (2018) anthology published by Bienvenue Press.

In June 2025, Stall-Meadows entered the Lee & Low New Voices Award. She submitted a children’s book manuscript entitled “Hush, Hvshi.” The story follows a fifth grader named Hvshi (Choctaw word for bird). His gift of imitating bird sounds is becoming a problem at school, but when Hushi’s teacher witnesses his amazing talent, she pushes him to spread his wings. Encouraged by his grandma and bird friends, Hvshi transforms the entire school.

She also applied for the prestigious Ucross Fellowship for Native American Artists. If awarded, Stall-Meadows plans to polish a YA ghost story manuscript set at the abandoned boarding school in Oklahoma. The story emerged after some unusual experiences during her visit to an Indigenous boarding school on the tribal reservation. The contemporary issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women is the red thread through the story. Family and tribal values are also integral to the story. She has an outline for a sequel, too.

Attendance at the Native Creative writing intensive workshop at the Highlights Foundation retreat center in Boyds Mills, PA is planned for June 2026.