Renowned Native American Poet Simon Ortiz Reads at SU

SALISBURY, MD---Poet Simon J. Ortiz of The Native American Poetry Compilation reads from his works 7 p.m. Friday, October 8, in Holloway Hall Auditorium as part of Salisbury University’s fall cultural events series, “A Celebration of Native American Peoples.”

Ortiz is a renowned poet, fiction writer, essayist and storyteller. A native of the Acoma Pueblo, NM, he projects his Native American history through writing. He focuses on the adversity and struggles of his people with a vision of hope resisting human and technological oppression.

He has received lifetime achievement awards from the Western States Arts Federation and the Wordcraft Circle of Native Writers. In addition, he has been honored at the White House Salute to American Poets and Poetry.

He writes for all ages in attempt to preserve his native language, Keres. He believes all people are part of each other and through storytelling, they will have a common bond. 

Other works by Ortiz include Earth Power Coming, The People Shall Continue and The Good Rainbow Road, written for children.

Ortiz has been critically acclaimed in publications such as Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal and Booklist.

Publisher’s Weekly said of his book Men on the Moon: Collected Short Stories, “The Language of these rich narratives reflect both Ortiz’s poetic gift and his intimate knowledge of oral storytelling.”

Ortiz teaches at the University of Toronto and has three children, Raho, Rainy and Sara. Sponsored by the Office of Cultural Affairs and Museum Programs, his reading is free and the public is invited.

For more information call 410-543-6271 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.