Dr. Luci Tapahonso
Tapahonso’s poems celebrate Diné culture and heritage
April 10, 2023
Dr. Luci Tapahonso, the former Diné Poet Laureate, will be giving a public reading at 12 p.m. on April 11, on the third floor of Donelly Library and on Zoom: https://nmhu.zoom.us/j/98374003502.
“This is an exciting opportunity for our students and community to engage with an important and unique poet,” said Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Brandon Kempner. “I’ve always found Dr. Tapahonso’s poetry deeply moving for its insight into our region and our history.”
Dr. Luci Tapahonso has taught English Literature and Language at the University of New Mexico. She has published six books of poetry, and three children’s books. Tapahonso received the 2009 Arizona Book Award for her poetry collection, A Radiant Curve.
In the PBS special iColores! in which she appears, Dr. Tapahonso said she cannot stop herself from writing.
“I’m always listening, I’m always observing what’s going on,” said Dr. Tapahonso. “I like to honor people for the wonderful things that they say and the caring things that they do for each other and the things that we often overlook on a daily basis.”
Dr. Tapahonso has appeared in several PBS films, and her poetry has been translated and published internationally. She was named Diné Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation in 2013. In addition to giving a public reading at Highlands, Dr. Tapahonso will be a guest speaker in several classes during her stay on campus.