Louise Abeita facts for kids

Louise Abeita Chewiwi, also known by her Pueblo name E-Yeh-Shure (meaning Blue Corn), was a talented writer, poet, and teacher. She was born on September 9, 1926, and passed away on July 21, 2014. Louise was a proud member of the Isleta Pueblo, a Native American community in New Mexico. She is best known for her book, I Am a Pueblo Indian Girl, which she wrote when she was only 13 years old.

Growing Up in Isleta Pueblo

Louise Abeita grew up in the Isleta Pueblo, a Native American community in New Mexico. Her father, Diego Abeita, was involved in the tribal government. Her mother, Lottie Gunn Abeita, came from the Laguna Pueblo.

I Am a Pueblo Indian Girl: A Special Book

When Louise was 13, her father wanted to share her amazing poems with the world. He gathered artists from the Navajo, Apache, and Pueblo communities. Together, they formed a group called the National Gallery of the American Indian (NGAI).

This group helped publish Louise's illustrated book, I Am a Pueblo Indian Girl, in 1939. Historians Gretchen Bataille and Laurie Lisa have called it the "first truly Indian book."

The book shares Louise's life through her writing and poems. It talks about important Pueblo traditions. The beautiful illustrations by NGAI artists help tell her story. This book was a big step for the Pueblo community. It was one of the first times they shared their own art and culture with people outside their community.

In 1940, Louise even appeared in a short film called Fashion Horizons. She showed her book to famous Hollywood stars.