Luci Tapahonso facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Luci Tapahonso
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Tapahonso at Diné College in 2011
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| Born | November 8, 1953 Shiprock, New Mexico, USA |
| Occupation | Writer, university lecturer |
| Education | B.A., English, U. of New Mexico |
| Genre | Poetry |
| Subject | Native American Studies |
Luci Tapahonso (born November 8, 1953) is a famous Navajo poet and a teacher of Native American Studies. She made history as the first ever poet laureate of the Navajo Nation. This is a special title given to a poet who represents their nation.
Early Life and Education
Luci Tapahonso grew up on the Navajo reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico. Her parents were Eugene Tapahonso Sr. and Lucille Deschenne Tapahonso. At home, her family spoke the Navajo language. She learned English as her second language.
After attending Navajo Methodist School and Shiprock High School, she graduated in 1971. She first worked as a journalist, writing news stories. Later, in 1976, she started studying at the University of New Mexico.
At the university, Luci met Leslie Marmon Silko, a well-known writer and poet. Silko became a very important mentor for Luci's early writing. Luci first planned to study journalism, but Silko encouraged her to switch to creative writing. Luci earned her first degree in 1980. In 1983, she got her master's degree in creative writing. After that, she began teaching at universities, including the University of New Mexico, the University of Kansas, and the University of Arizona.
Her Amazing Writings
Leslie Marmon Silko helped Luci Tapahonso publish her very first story, "The Snake Man," in 1978. Her first collection of poems, One More Shiprock Night, came out in 1981.
Luci's early poems often talked about her family and friends from childhood. She also wrote about the idea of women as a source of strength and balance in the world. Over time, she published many more poetry collections and individual poems. Her work has appeared in many different books and magazines.
Her 1993 book, Saánii Dahataal (the women are singing), was special because it was written in both Navajo and English. This book helped her gain international recognition. Her reputation grew even more with blue horses rush in, a book of poems and memories published in 1997.
In 2008, Luci Tapahonso released A Radiant Curve. This book won the Arizona Book Award for Poetry in 2009.
What makes Luci's writing unique is that she often creates her work first in the Navajo language. Then, she translates it into English. This means her English poems have a strong rhythm and sometimes use sentence structures that are different from typical English poetry. Her Navajo work also includes original songs and chants meant to be performed.
Awards and Honors
Luci Tapahonso has received many awards for her writing and teaching:
- Named Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation, 2013
- Arizona Book Award for Poetry, New Mexico Book Coop, 2009
- Lifetime Achievement Award, Native Writers' Circle of the Americas, 2006
- Wordcraft Circle Storyteller of the Year (Readings/Performance) Award, 1999
- Award for Best Poetry from the Mountains and Plain's Booksellers Association, 1998
- New Mexico Eminent Scholar award, New Mexico Commission of Higher Education, 1989
- Excellent Instructor Award, U. of New Mexico, 1985
- American Book Awards, Honorable Mention, 1983
- Southwestern Association of Indian Affairs Literature Fellowship, 1981
See also
