Silko, Leslie Marmon (1948–)

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Silko, Leslie Marmon (1948–)

Native American writer. Born Mar 5, 1948, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, of Pueblo, Laguna, Mexican, and caucasian descent; grew up on Laguna Pueblo reservation; University of New Mexico, BA, 1969.

One of the most important contemporary Native American writers, published 1st work, Tony's Story (1969), and 1st book of poetry, Laguna Women Poems (1974), drawing on legends passed down from Laguna elders, which brought national attention; was hailed as 1st Native American woman novelist after publishing Ceremony (1977), still considered to be her most important novel; released Storyteller (1989), which combines poetry, fiction, memoir, legend and photographs to depict family history; received MacArthur Foundation fellowship; published Almanac of the Dead (1992), which deals with European conquest; also wrote Yellow Woman (1993) and Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit (1996); taught in New Mexico, Alaska, and Arizona and has held academic appointments at universities of New Mexico and Arizona; also wrote Western Stories (1980), Delicacy and Strength of Lace (letters, 1986), Sacred Water Narratives and Pictures (1993), Love Poem and Slim Man Canyon (1999) and Gardens in the Dunes (1999).