Background
Louise Abeita was born and raised at Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico. Her father, Diego Abeita, was active in tribal government. Her mother, Lottie Gunn Abeita, was from Laguna Pueblo.
Louise Abeita was born and raised at Isleta Pueblo, New Mexico. Her father, Diego Abeita, was active in tribal government. Her mother, Lottie Gunn Abeita, was from Laguna Pueblo.
This group formed the National Gallery of the American Indian (NGAI), and published Abeita"s illustrated book She was 13 years old at the time. (1939) has been described as the "first truly Indian book" by historians Gretchen Bataille and Laurie Lisa.
The book depicts the life of Abeita through prose and poetry.
Themes throughout the book touch on Pueblo traditions, with illustrations by artists from NGAI complimenting her writing. This book is considered to be the first effort in the Pueblo community to document art and tradition to the non-Native community.
She appeared in the 1940 film short Fashion Horizons, showing her book to Hollywood starlets.