Joseph Bruchac
Joseph Bruchac
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Joseph Bruchac is an American poet, novelist, short story writer, children's author, and editor of Native American descent.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on October 16, 1942, in Saratoga Springs, New York. Still active and alive as of this writing.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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American poet, novelist, short story writer, children's author, and editor.
Early Life and Background
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Joseph Bruchac was born into a family with deep roots in Native American culture. His parents, Louis and Margaret Bruchac, were both of Abenaki descent, making him the great-grandson of Chief Joseph Kehl Bruchac. Growing up on the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, Joseph developed an intimate connection with nature that would later influence his writing.
Bruchac's family encouraged his love for storytelling and language from a young age. He learned to speak both Abenaki and English at home and was raised in a household where traditional Native American values were cherished. This upbringing instilled in him a strong sense of cultural identity and responsibility, which would become a hallmark of his writing.
Major Accomplishments
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Joseph Bruchac is the author of over 150 books for children and adults. His works span various genres, including poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and young adult literature. Some notable titles include:
The Warriors' Path series: a collection of historical novels based on real-life events in Native American history
Turtle's Journey Home: a children's book exploring the themes of identity, community, and belonging
Bruchac has received numerous awards for his contributions to literature, including the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship, the New Hampshire Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, and the Native American Authors' Circle Book of the Year Award.
Notable Works or Actions
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In addition to his writing, Bruchac is also a dedicated educator and advocate for indigenous rights. He has taught creative writing workshops at various universities and conferences and has served as a visiting writer-in-residence at several institutions.
Bruchac's commitment to preserving Native American culture extends beyond his literary endeavors. He has worked tirelessly to promote cross-cultural understanding, often collaborating with schools and organizations on projects aimed at bridging the gap between indigenous and non-indigenous communities.
Impact and Legacy
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Joseph Bruchac's impact on literature is immeasurable. As a Native American writer, he has played a pivotal role in bringing indigenous voices to the forefront of mainstream publishing. His works have not only educated readers about Native American history and culture but also inspired a new generation of writers to explore themes related to identity, community, and social justice.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Joseph Bruchac's legacy is cemented by his unwavering dedication to preserving and sharing the stories of his people. As a writer, educator, and advocate, he has broken down barriers between cultures and communities, forging a path for future generations of writers and readers.
His work serves as a testament to the power of storytelling in bridging gaps and fostering understanding. By shining a light on the experiences and traditions of Native American communities, Bruchac continues to inspire empathy, compassion, and inclusivity in all who read his words.
Quotes by Joseph Bruchac
She’s always suggesting books like a literary marriage broker, wedding readers to the titles just right for them.
A year is plenty of time to fit in, right? Like a square peg is going to fit into a round hole if you just give it time? You could say that when I arrived here in the middle of my seventh-grade year I settled into a well-defined niche that was purely my own and remains so in eighth grade. The niche of a minuscule, mouthy Mohawk misfit. And nothing is going to change that.
But I didn’t care. I just wanted to be close to them and feel their presence. I felt as if I were in there with them, looking out of their eyes, sharing their thoughts.
If it wasn’t for good,” my mother says, “we human beings would have been wiped out a long time ago. Either the monsters would have gotten us or we would have killed each other off with greed and jealousy and anger. So we have to believe in good. We have to look for the good in ourselves.
That story I loved so much as a child has become all too real to me now. But I’m not the boy in that old story who could run forever without tiring. I don’t have a bow and arrow. No weapons at all.
There is a kind of certainty that seems to characterize Jared Smith’s best work, an understanding about place and the flow of spirit that makes you think of Thoreau along with a commitment as fierce as that of Pablo Neruda.
He’s taken courses on things like animal tracking, making a fire with a bow drill, building survival shelters in the forest. Now, my being an Indian, you might imagine I would know about all that stuff. But most Indian kids, even those on the rez, are not learning those things anymore. They’re too busy doing all the things other kids do – watching DVDs, playing Xbox games, and downloading rap music on their iPods.
Perhaps this creature had once been a human, but his lust for power had been so great that he had done the things needed to transform him into a monster bear.
My story is both strange and true. I was born in the year the English call 1590. My family were leaders of the Patuxet people and I, too, was raised to lead. But in 1614 I was taken to Spain against my will. Now it is 1621 and I am again in my homeland. My name is Squanto. I would like to tell you my tale.