Louis Oliver (poet) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Louis Oliver
|
|
|---|---|
Louis Oliver
|
|
| Native name |
Wotkoce
|
| Born | April 9, 1904 Coweta, Indian Territory |
| Died | May 10, 1991 (aged 87) Muskogee, Oklahoma |
| Occupation | writer |
| Language | English, Muscogee |
| Nationality | Muscogee Nation, American |
| Alma mater | Bacone College |
| Notable awards | Alexander Posey Literary Award (1987) |
Louis Oliver, also known as Little Coon or Wotkoce Okisce, was a Native American poet. He was a citizen of the Muscogee Nation and an American writer. His poems often blended traditional Muscogee stories (called oral history) with thoughts about learning and knowledge within his culture.
Early Life and Education
Louis Oliver was born on April 9, 1904. His birthplace was Coweta, Indian Territory. This area later became part of Oklahoma in 1907. When he was young, his parents passed away. Relatives in Okfuskee then raised him.
He attended the Euchee Indian School. Later, he went to Bacone College. He graduated from Bacone College in 1926. Getting a diploma was a big achievement at the time. However, some other Muscogee people felt he was too much like "the White Man."
Writing Career
In the early 1980s, Oliver lived among the Cherokee people. He joined a writing group in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. This group included several authors who had already published books. Being part of this group changed his writing style. He started to move away from older European poetry forms.
Louis Oliver wrote two books of poetry. His first book was Caught in a willow net: poems and stories (1983). His second book was Chasers of the Sun: Creek Indian thoughts (1990). Both books were published by Greenfield Review Press.
One of his poems is very special. It is about a tornado and is even shaped like one. This poem is part of an outdoor poetry project. You can find it on a wall in Leiden, Netherlands. This project is called Wall poems in Leiden.
Honors and Awards
In 1987, Louis Oliver received an important award. The Este Mvskoke Arts Council gave him their first Alexander Posey Literary Award. This award recognized his important contributions to literature.
Later Life
Louis Oliver passed away on May 10, 1991. He died in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
