Full day of Native American-themed events to take place at Barnes and Noble; bookstore will contribute percentage of sales to support Native college students
Denver, Colo., November 21, 2019 — Luci Tapahanso, Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation, the American Indian College Fund and the Barnes and Noble Bookstore at 960 S. Colorado Boulevard in Denver are joining forces November 30 to host a day of free readings and activities open to the public to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. Barnes and Noble will donate a percentage of sales all day November 30 through December 4 to the College Fund to support Native American college students for all shoppers who mention the American Indian College Fund at check-out. Join us for to meet a world-class poet and help Native American students achieve their dream of a college education.
Forty-two percent of the American Indian population today is 24 years of age or younger, making the American Indian College Fund’s mission more important than ever. Accomplished Native Americans like Luci Tapahanso are role models that demonstrate to Native students that their dreams and ambitions are meaningful. By supporting the work of Tapahanso and making a qualified purchase at Barnes & Noble November 30-December 4, guests will provide Native students with crucial financial support through the College Fund.
November 30 Schedule of Events
1 p.m.—Poetry Reading —Luci Tapahanso, Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation. Tapahanso will read from her collected works.
2 p.m.—Meet the American Indian College Fund. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, the American Indian College Fund is a national non-profit helping Native Americans achieve their dream of a college education.
3 p.m.—Poetry Reading —Luci Tapahanso, Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation. Tapahanso will read from her collected works.
3:30 p.m.—Meet and Greet —Luci Tapahanso, Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation. Tapahanso will meet with the public and sign books.
All day-American Indian College Fund Pendleton Blanket Display. Check out the artistry and craftsmanship of the stunning blankets manufactured by Pendleton Woolen Mills. Pendleton donates a portion of blanket proceeds from their American Indian College Fund line to the College Fund to support its mission. Blankets can be purchased at Pendleton retail stores and online at www.pendletonusa.com.
About Luci Tapahanso— Luci Tapahanso was born on the Navajo Reservation in Shiprock, New Mexico, where she learned English as her second language. Her love of writing launched her career as a journalist and investigative reporter. Later she enrolled at the University of New Mexico and majored in creative writing under the advice and guidance of the accomplished novelist and poet Leslie Marmon Silko, a faculty member there at the time. Tapahanso went on to teach creative writing and has published three children’s books and six books of poetry.
Tapahanso has received numerous honors and awards for her work. She was named the Inaugural Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation in 2013. She was the recipient of the Native Arts and Culture Foundation Artist Fellowship (2018), the Professor Emerita of English Literature at the University of New Mexico (2016), the winner of the Arizona Book Award for Poetry, New Mexico Book Coop (2009), received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas (2006), received the Storyteller of the Year Award, Native Writers Circle of the Americas (1999), and was honored with the Award for Best Poetry, Mountains and Plains Booksellers Associations (1998). She resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with her husband, Dr. Robert Martin, President of the Institute of American Indian Arts.
CONTACT:
Dina Horwedel
dhorwedel@collegefund.org, 303-430-5350
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