Arts & Culture
Jul 2, 2026

Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums founder Susan Feller dies at 71

Cherokee Nation citizen led the national organization supporting tribal archives, libraries, museums and cultural programs for more than two decades


July 2, 2026

Susan Davis Feller, founding president and CEO of the Association of Tribal Archives, Libraries and Museums, died June 18 in Oklahoma at age 71, according to reporting from ICT. Feller, a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, died peacefully less than two weeks after being diagnosed with metastatic cancer that was complicated by strokes, according to her family. The ATALM board of directors said Feller dedicated more than two decades to strengthening tribal archives, libraries, museums, language programs and cultural institutions through the organization she founded.

ATALM Chief Operating Officer Melissa Brodt, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, will serve as interim president and CEO, according to reporting from ICT. Board Chairman Walter Echo-Hawk, Pawnee Nation, said Feller's vision created a national organization that provides training, networking and support for tribal cultural institutions.

  1. 1.Shirley Sneve. ICT, .

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