Lance Henson facts for kids
Lance Henson is a Cheyenne poet born on September 20, 1944. He grew up near Calumet, Oklahoma, where his grandparents taught him about the traditions of the Cheyenne tribe. Henson has written 50 books of poetry. These books have been translated into 25 different languages. Many people consider him one of the most important Cheyenne poets writing today.
Early Life and Education
Lance Henson was born in Washington, D.C., in 1944. He has Cheyenne, Oglala, and Cajun family roots. His grandparents raised him near Calumet, Oklahoma. They made sure he learned about Cheyenne culture and traditions.
After high school, Henson joined the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the Vietnam War. Later, he became a member of the Cheyenne Dog Soldier Society. This group is for Cheyenne veterans. He studied English at Oklahoma College of Liberal Arts. He then earned a Master of Arts degree in Creative Writing from the University of Tulsa. He received a special scholarship from the Ford Foundation to help him with his studies.
Poetry Career
Henson published his first poetry book, Keeper of Arrows, in 1971. He was still a student at the time. For ten years, he led poetry workshops across Oklahoma. He was part of the State Arts Council of Oklahoma's Artist in Residence Program.
Since then, he has traveled all over the world. He gives talks and reads his poems. He has been a "poet in residence" at over 800 schools. This means he spent time at these schools, sharing his poetry and knowledge.
In 1988, Henson represented the Southern Cheyenne at a meeting. This meeting was about Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations in Geneva. In 1993, he went on a tour for the United States Information Agency. He gave lectures in Singapore, Thailand, New Guinea, and New Zealand. He also worked as a poet-in-residence at the University of New Mexico that same year.
Henson was also a resident at the Millay Colony for the Arts in 1995. He received a special award from the Smithsonian Institution. In 2004, he was honored by the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. He was added to their Hall of Fame.
He has published 50 books of poetry. These books have been translated into 25 languages.
Henson lives in Italy, where his poems are very popular. Many of his books are printed in both Italian and English. Every June, he returns to Oklahoma. He takes part in the Cheyenne Sun Dance, an important tribal ceremony. In 2013, Henson started his official website. He shares some of his new poems there before they are published.
Plays Written
Lance Henson has also written two plays. One play is called "Winter Man." It was performed in New York City at La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club. His other play, "Coyote Road," has been performed in Ohio and in Versailles, France.
Poetry Style and Influences
Henson's poems are deeply connected to his Cheyenne heritage. He uses words from the Cheyenne language. He also includes Cheyenne ideas and his own thoughts on society and politics. His writing style is simple and direct. He often does not use capital letters, punctuation, rhyme, or a set rhythm. This style is similar to traditional Cheyenne songs.
His poems often feature images of nature and the changing seasons. He also writes about the history and challenges faced by Indigenous peoples. He talks about how their cultures are threatened today. Henson's work is influenced by other famous writers. These include Walt Whitman, N. Scott Momaday, Carl Jung, Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Mark Twain. Some experts also see influences from haiku and ancient Chinese poets like Li Po and Tu Fu in his work.
See also
In Spanish: Lance Henson para niños
