Native poet explains links of language (fwd)

Wed Feb 16 07:53:34 UTC 2005

Native poet explains links of language

By JODI RAVE
Missoulian
http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2005/02/15/build/state/55-poet.inc

MISSOULA - Many would argue that poet Simon Ortiz's native Keres
language has lifted him to heights few writers will ever achieve.

"I consider him the most important poet writing in America today," said
Roger Dunsmore, a University of Montana humanities professor emeritus.
"He's created a language to speak for the land where humans are a part
of something much greater, older and deeper than they are."

"Simon is the most venerable Native writer living today. He's got there
because he's never lost sight of the importance of retaining indigenous
values," said Kate Shanley, the university's Native American Studies
chairwoman.

He expresses those values in poetry where his works reveal an honest
portrayal of tribal life, and typically uncovers the political side of
it, too, said Shanley.

On Monday, Ortiz spoke at the University of Montana, explaining how
language links the land, culture and community.

Much of Ortiz's success as a writer springs from his ability to express
the world around him through a thought process that comes from the
ancient Keres language of the Acoma Pueblo.

"The indigenous language, or any language, has kind of a force there is
an energy,'' Ortiz said. "This makes a great difference in how we learn
and use and regard language.''

The increasing decline in indigenous language speakers gives Ortiz cause
to worry about how the American Indian world view is expressed. Today,
it's common for contemporary American Indian writers to use English.