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List of Indigenous writers of the Americas

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{{Globalize|article|USA|Canada|2name=the United States|3name=Canada|date=May 2022}}

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File:Samson Occom by Jonathan Spilsbury, after Mason Chamberlin, 1768, mezzotint on paper, from the National Portrait Gallery - NPG-NPG 71 15Occom1L-000001.jpg, Mohegan, 1723–1792,Peyer 52 thought to be the first Native American to publish in English]]

This is a list of notable writers who are Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

This list includes authors who are Alaskan Native, American Indian, First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Indigenous peoples of Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, as defined by the citizens of these Indigenous nations and tribes.

While Indigenous identity can at times be complex, inclusion in this list is based upon reliably-sourced citizenship in an Indigenous nation, based upon the legal definitions of, and recognition by, the relevant Indigenous community claimed by the individual. They must be documented as being claimed by that community. Writers such as Forrest Carter,{{cite book| author = Maggie Nolan|author2=Carrie Dawson | title = Who's Who?: Hoaxes, Imposture and Identity Crises in Australian Literature| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=8qzsAbrWVZQC&pg=PA22| date = 2004-12-20| publisher = University of Queensland Press| isbn = 978-0-7022-3523-8| page = 22 }}{{cite book| author = Gretchen M. Bataille| title = Teacher in Space: Christa McAuliffe and the Challenger Legacy| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=oBcyKfZkva4C&pg=PA49| date = 2001-10-01| publisher = University of Nebraska Press| isbn = 978-0-8032-1312-8| page = 49 }} Ward Churchill,Richardson, Valerie. [http://www.colorado.edu/news/reports/churchill/report.html "Report on Conclusion of Preliminary Review in the Matter of Professor Ward Churchill".] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120629204440/http://www.colorado.edu/news/reports/churchill/report.html |date=2012-06-29 }} University of Colorado at Boulder. 2005 . Retrieved 26 July 2009.Brown, Thomas. [http://hnn.us/articles/10633.html "Is Ward Churchill the New Michael Bellesiles?"] George Mason University's History News Network. 14 March 2005 . Retrieved 26 July 2009.Harjo, Suzan Shown. [http://www.indiancountrytoday.com/archive/28201419.html "Ward Churchill: The White Man's Burden"], Indian Country Today. 3 August 2007 . Retrieved 26 July 2009. Jamake Highwater,{{cite book| author = Joane Nagel| title = American Indian Ethnic Renewal: Red Power and the Resurgence of Identity and Culture| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=4P1yTRVeBToC| date = 1997-09-25| publisher = Oxford University Press| isbn = 978-0-19-512063-9 }}Hoxie, Frederick E. [https://books.google.com/books?id=o-BNU7QuJkYC&dq=jamake+highwater+mamake&pg=PA191 Encyclopedia of North American Indians: Native American History, Culture, and Life From Paleo-Indians to the Present.] Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2006: 191-2. (retrieved through Google Books, 26 July 2009) {{ISBN|978-0-395-66921-1}}{{cite book| author = Jace Weaver| title = Other Words: American Indian Literature, Law, and Culture| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=gQj_aQhYvfEC| date = 2001-11-01| publisher = University of Oklahoma Press| isbn = 978-0-8061-3352-2 }} Joseph Boyden{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/books-and-media/joseph-boyden/article35881215/|title=The making of Joseph Boyden: Indigenous identity and a complicated history|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=4 August 2017 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.canadalandshow.com/joseph-boyden-indigenous-dna/|title=Joseph Boyden Won't Find Indigenous Identity In A Test Tube Of Spit|date=4 August 2017}} and Grey Owl,{{cite book| author = Gail Guthrie Valaskakis| title = Indian Country: Essays On Contemporary Native Culture| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=sZlE_n2whO8C&pg=PA221| year = 2005| publisher = Wilfrid Laurier University Press| isbn = 978-0-88920-479-9| page = 221 }}{{cite book| author = Deborah Root| title = Cannibal Culture: Art, Appropriation, and the Commodification of Difference| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=zrvVuYNlYR0C&pg=PA102| year = 1996| publisher = Perseus Books Group| isbn = 978-0-8133-2089-2| page = 102 }} whose claims of Indigenous American descent have been factually disproved through genealogical research, are not included in this list.

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File:File-Evan Adams.jpg, Sliammon First Nation Coast Salish, Canada]]

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  • Louise Abeita, Isleta Pueblo, 1926–2014Bataille and Lisa 1
  • Janice Acoose, Sakimay (Saulteaux) First Nation-Métis, Canada, 1954–2020{{cite news |last1=Komarnicki |first1=Jamie |title=NATIVE RESIDENTIAL SCHOOLS: CANADA'S APOLOGY |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/native-residential-schools-canadas-apology/article674304/ |access-date=26 March 2019 |work=Globe & Mail (Toronto, Canada) |publisher=The Globe and Mail Inc. |date=June 12, 2008}}
  • Evan Adams, Sliammon First Nation Coast Salish, Canada, b. 1966{{cite web|author1=Trevor Kehoe|title=FNHA Announces Dr. Evan Adams as New Chief Medical Officer|url=http://www.fnha.ca/about/news-and-events/news/fnha-announces-dr-evan-adams-as-new-chief-medical-officer|date=30 October 2014}}
  • Howard Adams, Métis, Canada, 1921–2001McClinton-Temple and Velie 4
  • Freda Ahenakew, Ahtahkakoop Cree, Canada, 1932–2011{{cite web|title=Freda Ahenakew|url=http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/freda-ahenakew/|website=The Canadian Encyclopedia|access-date=2 May 2016}}
  • Humberto Ak'ab'al, K'iche' Maya, Guatemala, 1952–2019{{cite web|title=Humberto Ak abal|url=http://www.wordswithoutborders.org/contributor/humberto-ak-abal|website=Words Without Borders|access-date=2 May 2016}}
  • Kateri Akiwenzie-Damm, Nawash Chippewa, Canada, b. 1965McClinton-Temple and Velie 6
  • Clarence Alexander, Gwichyaa Zhee Corporation Gwich’in, b. 1939{{cite news |last1=Alaska Beat |title=Alaskan Clarence Alexander wins Presidential Citizens Medal |url=https://www.adn.com/alaska-beat/article/alaskan-clarence-alexander-wins-presidential-citizens-medal/2011/10/13/ |access-date=26 March 2019 |work=Anchorage Daily News |date=13 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213230014/https://www.adn.com/alaska-beat/article/alaskan-clarence-alexander-wins-presidential-citizens-medal/2011/10/13/ |archive-date=13 February 2017}}
  • Robert Arthur Alexie, Gwich'in, Canada, 1957–2014New 311Sigafus and Ernst
  • Sherman Alexie, Spokane/Coeur d'Alene, b. 1966McClinton-Temple and Velie 9
  • Gerald Taiaiake Alfred, Kahnawake Mohawk, Canada, b. 1964{{cite web|title=Profile: Taiaiake Alfred|url=http://www.cbc.ca/8thfire/2011/11/taiaike-alfred-1.html|website=8th Fire|publisher=CBC|access-date=2 May 2016}}
  • Elsie Allen, Cloverdale Pomo, 1899–1990{{cite web |title=Elsie Allen, 1899-1990 |date=15 September 2017 |url=http://library.sonoma.edu/research/guides/regional/notablepeople/allen |publisher=Sonoma State University Library |access-date=26 March 2019}}
  • Minerva Allen, Assiniboine, 1934–2024
  • Paula Gunn Allen, Laguna Pueblo descent,Porter and Roemer 94–95 1939–2008
  • Fernando de Alva Cortés Ixtlilxochitl, Texcocan, Mexico,{{cite web |title=Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxochitl and His Legacy |url=https://uapress.arizona.edu/book/fernando-de-alva-ixtlilxochitl-and-his-legacy |website=University of Arizona Press |date=12 July 2017 |access-date=5 October 2022}} ca. 1570–1648
  • Irma Alvarez Ccoscco, Quechua, Peru, b. 1980
  • Arthur Amiotte, Oglala Lakota, b. 1942[http://www.aktalakota.org/index.cfm?cat=1&artid=206 Arthur Amiotee: Oglala Lakota.] Akta Lakota Museum and Cultural Center. Retrieved 1 March 2009.
  • Ch'aska Anka Ninawaman, Quechua, Peru, b. 1973Ch'aska Anka Ninawaman (2004): [https://repository.unm.edu/bitstream/handle/1928/12263/Poes%C3%ADa%20en%20Quechua%20Chaskaschay.pdf?sequence=1 Ch'askaschay], p. 7.
  • William Apess, Pequot, 1798–1839McClinton-Temple and Velie 39
  • Annette Arkeketa, Otoe-Missouria/Muscogee[http://muse.jhu.edu/login?uri=/journals/hypatia/v018/18.2arkeketa.html Hypatia.] Project Muse. 18:2, Spring 2003 . Retrieved 1 March 2009.
  • Jeannette C. Armstrong, Penticton Indian Band (Okanagan), Canada, b. 1948McClinton-Temple and Velie 41
  • José María Arguedas, Mestizo of Quechua-descent, Peru, 1911–1969{{cite journal |last1=Siemens |first1=William L. |title=Chronology: José María Arguedas |journal=Review: Literature and Arts of the Americas |date=1980 |volume=14 |issue=25–26 |pages=12–15 |doi=10.1080/08905768008594020 |publisher=Taylor & Francis}}
  • Joan Tavares Avant, Mashpee Wampanoag, b. 1940{{cite web|title=Joan Tavares Avant|url=http://indigenousnewengland.com/items/show/294|website=Dawnland Voices: Writings of Indigenous New England|access-date=2 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531110730/http://indigenousnewengland.com/items/show/294|archive-date=2016-05-31|url-status=dead}}

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  • Stephanie Fielding, Mohegan[http://indnewengland.omeka.net/items/show/111 "A Mohegan-Pequot Diary."] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20131104102436/http://indnewengland.omeka.net/items/show/111 |date=2013-11-04 }} Writing of Indigenous New England. Retrieved 3 Nov 3013.
  • Connie Fife, Cree
  • Waawaate Fobister, Grassy Meadows First Nation, CanadaLittlejohn, Maureen. [http://metronews.ca/news/165611/new-wave-of-aboriginal-talent/ "New wave of aboriginal talent."] Metro Canada. 20 July 2009. Retrieved 11 July 2012.
  • Naomi Fontaine, Innu, Canada
  • Natasha Kanapé Fontaine, Innu, Canada
  • Lee Francis III, Laguna Pueblo descent, 1945–2003{{cite news |author-link=Terri Hansen |last=Hansen |first=Terri |url=http://indiancountrynews.com/index.php/283-culture/reviews/2526-the-wordcraft-circle-is-back-again-and-getting-better |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150228214104/http://indiancountrynews.com/index.php/283-culture/reviews/2526-the-wordcraft-circle-is-back-again-and-getting-better |url-status=dead |archive-date=February 28, 2015 |title=The Wordcraft Circle is back again and getting better |work=News from Indian Country |date=February 2008 |access-date=February 28, 2015}}
  • Vera Francis, Passamaquoddy, b. 1958{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b4oRBAAAQBAJ&q=Vera+Francis&pg=PT9|title=Dawnland Voices: An Anthology of Indigenous Writing from New England|first=Siobhan|last=Senier|date=23 July 2014|publisher=U of Nebraska Press|via=Google Books|isbn=9780803256804}}
  • Alice Masak French, Inuk, Canada, 1930–2013

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  • Jean O'Brien, White Earth Ojibwe, b. 1958[http://naisa.org/OBrienbio "Jean O'Brien."] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20130503071521/http://naisa.org/OBrienbio |date=2013-05-03 }} Native American and Indigenous Studies Association. Retrieved 24 July 2012.
  • Samson Occom, Mohegan, 1723–1792, the first Native American known to publish in English
  • Louis Oliver (Little Coon or Wotkoce Okisce), 1904–1991, Muscogee, poet{{cite book|title=Red on Red: Native American Literary Separatism|first=Craig S.|last=Womack|publisher=University of Minnesota Press|year=1999|isbn=9780816630226|contribution=Chapter 6: Louis Oliver: Searching for a Creek Intellectual Center|pages=187–211|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EOYt0vlkuLEC&pg=PA187}}
  • Orpingalik, Netsilik Inuk, CanadaWiget, Andrew O. [http://college.cengage.com/english/lauter/heath/4e/students/author_pages/colonial/native_poetry.html "Native American Oral Poetry."] The Heath Anthology of American Literature. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  • Simon J. Ortiz, Acoma Pueblo, b. 1941Porter and Roemer 155Porter and Roemer 322

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  • Uvavnuk, Iglulik Inuk, Canada[http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/uvavnuk "Uvavnuk."] Poetry Foundation. Retrieved 6 Aug 2012.

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  • William S. Yellow Robe, Jr., Fort Peck Assiniboine,{{cite web|title=William S. Yellow Robe, Jr. on FIRST PERSON RADIO 4/20/16|url=http://kfai.org/news/2016/04/54675|publisher=KFAI|access-date=2 May 2016|date=19 April 2016}} 1962–2021
  • Annie York, Spuzzum First Nation Nlaka'pamux, Canada,{{cite web|title=Annie York|url=http://talonbooks.com/authors/annie-york|publisher=Talonbooks|access-date=2 May 2016}} 1904–1991
  • Ray Young Bear, Meskwaki, b. 1950McClinton-Temple and Velie 410
  • Alfred Young Man, Chippewa-Cree, Canada and United States,{{cite web|last1=Abbott|first1=Larry|title=Alfred Young Man|url=http://www.britesites.com/native_artist_interviews/aman.htm|website=A Time of Visions|access-date=2 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529071604/http://www.britesites.com/native_artist_interviews/aman.htm|archive-date=29 May 2016}} b. 1948

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See also

{{Portal|Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Literature}}

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References

{{Reflist}}

=Bibliography=

  • {{cite book| editor1=Gretchen M. Bataille |editor2=Laurie Lisa |title=Native American women : a biographical dictionary|date=2001|publisher=Routledge|location=New York|isbn=0-203-80104-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XT6UAgAAQBAJ&q=Bataille%20and%20Lisa%20Native%20American%20Women&pg=PT2}}
  • {{cite book| first1=Jennifer| last1=McClinton-Temple| first2=Alan| last2=Velie | title = Encyclopedia of American Indian Literature| year = 2009| publisher = Infobase Publishing| isbn = 978-1-4381-2087-4 }}
  • {{cite book| first= W. H. | last=New| title = A History of Canadian Literature| date = 2003-08-06| publisher = McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP| isbn = 978-0-7735-2597-9 }}
  • {{cite book| first=Bernd| last=Peyer| title = American Indian Nonfiction: An Anthology of Writings, 1760s-1930s| year = 2007| publisher = University of Oklahoma Press| isbn = 978-0-8061-3798-8 }}
  • {{cite book| first1=Joy| last1=Porter| first2=Kenneth M. |last2=Roemer | title = The Cambridge Companion to Native American Literature| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=nHRRzkj5UcoC| date = 2005-07-21| publisher = Cambridge University Press| isbn = 978-0-521-82283-1 }}
  • {{cite book|editor1-last=Senier|editor1-first=Sionhan|title=Dawnland Voices: An Anthology of Indigenous Writing from New England|date=2014|publisher=University of Nebraska Press|location=Lincoln|isbn=978-0-8032-4686-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=b4oRBAAAQBAJ&q=Dawnland%20Voices&pg=PP1}}
  • {{cite book| first1=Kim| last1=Sigafus| first2=Lyle| last2=Ernst| title=Native Writers: Voices of Power| date=2012-04-01| publisher=Seventh Generation Books| isbn=978-0-9779183-8-6| url-access=registration| url=https://archive.org/details/nativewritersvoi0000siga}}
  • {{cite book| first=Carl |last=Waldman| title = Encyclopedia of Native American Tribes| date = 2009-01-01| publisher = Infobase Publishing| isbn = 978-1-4381-1010-3 }}
  • {{cite book| first=Gary |last=Westfahl| title = The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy: Themes, Works, and Wonders| year = 2005| publisher = Greenwood Publishing Group| isbn = 978-0-313-32952-4 }}

External links

{{Commons category|Native American writers}}

  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20060805233413/http://oncampus.richmond.edu/faculty/ASAIL/ Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures]
  • {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070701182129/http://www.nativewiki.org/Category:Literature NativeWiki literature pages]}}
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20040110213628/http://www.cnn.com/2004/SHOWBIZ/books/01/10/indian.literature.ap/index.html Associated Press/CNN.com: Reading into Native American Writers]
  • [http://www.hanksville.org/storytellers/alfa.html Storytellers: Native American Authors Online].
  • [https://web.archive.org/web/20090907181517/http://www.yaxtebooks.com/catalog/catalog.htm Yax Te' Books catalog], publishing house for Mayan literature in Mayan, Spanish and English.

{{Indigenous peoples of the Americas}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Writers From Peoples Indigenous To The Americas}}

Indigenous

Indigenous

Writers

Category:Lists of Native American people

Category:Lists of Canadian writers