The Hope College Visiting Writers Series will feature Simon Ortiz on Thursday, Oct. 30, at 7 p.m. in the Knickerbocker Theatre.
The public is invited. Admission is free.
Ortiz has published 10 books of poetry, short stories and essays, creating a highly regarded reputation in the process.
The literary anthology "Western American Literature" has said that "Simon Ortiz has given us indelible proof that the written word is indeed an effective weapon."
Writer Joseph Bruchac has said, "It would be hard to find a poet better known by other American Indian people."
An Acoma Pueblo Native American, Ortiz grew up speaking the Acoma language (Aacpumeh dzehni), which is peppered with English and 'Acomaized' Spanish.
He grew up in the Acoma village of McCartys (Deetseyamah), a part of the Eagle clan (Dyaanih hanoh). After spending time in the Army, he attended several colleges, including the University of Iowa as a Fellow in the International Writing Program.
He is recipient of many awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writer's Circle of the Americas in 1993. He is especially known for his storytelling ability.
Recent works include "Men On the Moon: Collected Short Stories," and "Telling and Showing Her: The Earth, The Land," a poetry collection.
"Making language familiar and accessible to others, bringing it within their grasp and comprehension, is what a writer, teacher, and storyteller does or tries to do. I've been trying for over thirty years," Ortiz has written.
Ortiz's reading will be preceded by live music by the Hope College Jazz Ensemble beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Knickerbocker Theatre is located at 86 E. 8th St. in downtown Holland.