Background
Awiakta, Marilou was born on January 24, 1936 in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States.
(Does humanity have enough reverence for life to cope with...)
Does humanity have enough reverence for life to cope with the atom? Poet Marilou Awiakta poses this question in this book, which was first published in 1978, shortly before the nuclear accident at Three Mile Island. Fusing her Cherokee/Appalachian heritage with the experience of growing up on the atomic frontier in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Awiakta explores humanity's dilemma -- and hope -- through the legendary Awi Usdi, Little Deer, a Cherokee spirit-teacher of reverence. She follows his trail as he circles through the saga of Tsali and the Cherokee removal, then into the thoughts of early pioneers and the vision of John Hendrix, who foretold the coming of Oak Ridge with such accuracy. Winding through the poet's childhood, when the atom was split in secret, the trail leads to the retired Graphic Reactor and, finally, into the heart of the atom itself -- and into our hearts, where we must ultimately resolve the question of reverence for life.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0916078388/?tag=2022091-20
Awiakta, Marilou was born on January 24, 1936 in Knoxville, Tennessee, United States.
She graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1958 receiving a Bachelor of Arts magna cum laude, in both English and French.
She is renowned for writing several books that blend stories, essays and poetry. Marilou Awiakta is the seventh generation of her family to grow up in Appalachia, mostly in East Tennessee. Since 1730, her Cherokee and Scots-Irish family has lived as a "designated family" in the mountainous area of the state.
She worked as a civilian liaison officer and translator for the United States. Air Force at Laon-Couvron Air Base, France from 1964-1967.
She worked in the Arts-In-Schools program in Memphis, Tennessee, and formed poetry workshops in the Women"s Prison. They have three children.
In July 2014, her work was featured in www.recoursaupoeme.fr
Awiakta"s poetry is analysed at length in Our Fire Survives the Storm by Daniel Heath Justice (Cherokee Nation).
(Does humanity have enough reverence for life to cope with...)
Civilian liaison officer and translator United States Air Force, Laon Air Force Base, France, 1964-1967. Member literary panel Tennessee Arts Commission, 1982-1989, chair, 1987-1989. Board directors National Conference Christians and Jews, 1984-1990, Women's Foundation Greater Memphis, since 1995.
Commissioner Mayor's International Heritage Commission, 1987-1990. Member Leadership Memphis, since 1984, Network Girl Scouts American, 1986, Women's Committee Against Crime, 1988-1990. Board directors Tennessee Humanities Council, since 1994, chair grants committee, 1995-1996.
Member Native American Inter Tribal Association (co-founder 1982, ambassador at large 1986-1990), Wordcraft Circuit of Native American Writers and Storytellers (coordinator Tennessee 1994-1995, member board national caucus since 1995).
Married Paul Thompson, December 22, 1957. Children: Alix, Audrey, Andrew.