WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.780 align:middle line:90%


00:00:04.780 --> 00:00:09.250 align:middle line:84%
It's my pleasure to next
introduce Luci Tapahanso.

00:00:09.250 --> 00:00:13.060 align:middle line:84%
She's from Shiprock in New
Mexico, part of the Navajo

00:00:13.060 --> 00:00:16.570 align:middle line:84%
Nation where she grew up
with 11 sisters and brothers

00:00:16.570 --> 00:00:19.570 align:middle line:84%
and began her writing
in her own language

00:00:19.570 --> 00:00:22.660 align:middle line:90%
when she was only about eight.

00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:24.820 align:middle line:84%
She later obtained
her degrees in English

00:00:24.820 --> 00:00:27.850 align:middle line:84%
at the University of New
Mexico and is the author

00:00:27.850 --> 00:00:34.750 align:middle line:84%
of 10 books, stories, poems, and
children's books, in which she

00:00:34.750 --> 00:00:39.370 align:middle line:84%
combines immersion in the
natural world of her homeland

00:00:39.370 --> 00:00:44.930 align:middle line:84%
with stories of her people,
her family, and her own life

00:00:44.930 --> 00:00:48.950 align:middle line:90%
as a mother and grandmother.

00:00:48.950 --> 00:00:51.830 align:middle line:84%
And there are besides many
individual publications

00:00:51.830 --> 00:00:53.960 align:middle line:84%
of stories and
poems, interviews,

00:00:53.960 --> 00:00:56.870 align:middle line:90%
and works in other media.

00:00:56.870 --> 00:00:59.240 align:middle line:84%
Her newest book,
A Radiant Curve,

00:00:59.240 --> 00:01:03.080 align:middle line:84%
even includes a CD of
readings, a wonderful addition

00:01:03.080 --> 00:01:06.920 align:middle line:84%
for complete
appreciation of her work.

00:01:06.920 --> 00:01:08.630 align:middle line:84%
Many of Luci's
published writings

00:01:08.630 --> 00:01:11.390 align:middle line:84%
are translated into
English, being first written

00:01:11.390 --> 00:01:14.180 align:middle line:84%
in language of her
people, leading

00:01:14.180 --> 00:01:18.490 align:middle line:84%
to some unusual
cadences and structures.

00:01:18.490 --> 00:01:21.010 align:middle line:84%
Her writing has been
internationally acclaimed

00:01:21.010 --> 00:01:25.170 align:middle line:84%
and translated into French,
Italian, and German.

00:01:25.170 --> 00:01:29.280 align:middle line:84%
She too won many awards
and serves the community

00:01:29.280 --> 00:01:32.700 align:middle line:84%
in so many ways that I
can't list them all here,

00:01:32.700 --> 00:01:37.230 align:middle line:84%
but I have to say this, her
yearning for her people back

00:01:37.230 --> 00:01:41.580 align:middle line:84%
in her childhood home her
evocation and interpretation

00:01:41.580 --> 00:01:45.480 align:middle line:84%
of the high desert environment,
and the deep meaning

00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:49.050 align:middle line:84%
of her specific union with
her land and people are

00:01:49.050 --> 00:01:55.420 align:middle line:84%
totally compelling and
provide lessons for us all.

00:01:55.420 --> 00:02:00.870 align:middle line:84%
So listen for the voice of
woman, the gentle humor,

00:02:00.870 --> 00:02:06.030 align:middle line:84%
the prayers, the rhythmic
song-like structures,

00:02:06.030 --> 00:02:08.910 align:middle line:90%
the signatures of her culture.

00:02:08.910 --> 00:02:14.370 align:middle line:84%
Listen to Luci, the voice of a
unique and engaging storyteller

00:02:14.370 --> 00:02:16.630 align:middle line:90%
and poet.

00:02:16.630 --> 00:02:20.710 align:middle line:84%
Listen to one of the best Native
American voices you will ever

00:02:20.710 --> 00:02:22.490 align:middle line:90%
hear.

00:02:22.490 --> 00:02:23.690 align:middle line:90%
Luci.

00:02:23.690 --> 00:02:26.440 align:middle line:90%
[APPLAUSE]

00:02:26.440 --> 00:02:30.000 align:middle line:90%