Look and Listen

Biography

While I am unpublished, I have been writing since I was a young girl. I am also a cook of traditional native foods. I approach both cooking and writing as spiritual endeavors. I am compiling a family recipe book and a memoir of poems about my life, which includes early impressions of reservation family life and necessarily includes my impressions of the contemporary status of native americans, my tribe in particular, and our place in the universe.

Inspiration

I draw inspiration from my culture, particularly the people, because of their ability to survive. After all, we are still here. Our ancestors have paved the way. The quiet strength of Native men gives me courage and makes me secure and unafraid. The gentle strength of Native women gives me a voice and the courage to endure. The beauty of Native children gives me purpose and hope in our future. The wise strength of our elders makes me unafraid of the future and allows me to move forward with a firm grasp on the past. Because of them I am still here. Because of them I have a story to tell. Because of them I have the courage and strength to tell it.