1. N Scott Momaday, Pulitzer-winning giant of Native American stories, passes away at 89
2. N Scott Momaday, renowned Native American storyteller and Pulitzer laureate, dies at 89.
N Scott Momaday, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Giant of Native American Stories, Dies at 89
N Scott Momaday, a renowned storyteller, poet, educator, and folklorist, passed away at the age of 89. Momaday, the recipient of a Pulitzer Prize, is widely recognized as a pioneer of contemporary Native American literature. His debut novel, House Made Of Dawn, is considered a groundbreaking work in this genre.
Momaday’s passing was announced by his publisher, HarperCollins, who revealed that he died at his home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He had been in declining health for some time.
In a statement, Momaday’s editor, Jennifer Civiletto, expressed her admiration for his extraordinary talent and contribution to American literature. She described him as a singular voice and emphasized his commitment to celebrating and preserving Native American culture, particularly the oral tradition that held deep meaning for him.
A Literary Legacy and Cultural Advocate
Published in 1968, House Made Of Dawn tells the story of a Second World War soldier who struggles to reintegrate into the Native community in rural New Mexico upon his return home. Drawing heavily from Momaday’s own experiences growing up in Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico, the novel explores the conflicts he faced between his ancestral traditions and the opportunities and challenges of the outside world.
At the time of its publication, novels written by American Indians were not widely recognized. However, Momaday’s work broke through these barriers, earning critical acclaim. In fact, a New York Times reviewer, Marshall Sprague, remarked that Momaday’s book was exceptional in its own right, challenging the misconception that Native Americans do not write novels or poetry.
House Made Of Dawn resonated with a generation protesting against the Vietnam War, much like Joseph Heller’s Catch-22. In 1969, Momaday became the first Native American to win the fiction Pulitzer Prize, propelling him to the forefront of a new wave of authors, including Leslie Marmon Silko, James Welch, and Louise Erdrich. His literary influence extended beyond the page, garnering the admiration of notable figures such as poet Joy Harjo, actors Robert Redford and Jeff Bridges.
Throughout his illustrious career, Momaday taught at prestigious institutions such as Stanford, Princeton, and Columbia universities. He also served as a commentator for NPR and delivered lectures worldwide.
A Passion for Native American Culture
Over the years, Momaday authored more than a dozen books, ranging from Angle of Geese And Other Poems to the novels The Way To Rainy Mountain and The Ancient Child. Through his writing, he became a leading advocate for the beauty and significance of traditional Native American life.
Momaday drew inspiration from the stories passed down to him by his parents and grandparents. He believed that oral culture was the source of language and storytelling, and he traced the origins of American literature not only to the early English settlers but also to ancient times, as depicted in the rock art at Utah’s Barrier Canyon.
His dedication to preserving Native American art and oral tradition was recognized in 2007 when President George W Bush presented him with a National Medal of Arts. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize, Momaday received other prestigious honors, including a prize from the Academy of American Poets and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize in 2019.
A Life Shaped by Heritage and Education
Momaday, born Navarre Scott Mammedaty, in Lawton, Oklahoma, was a member of the Kiowa Nation. His mother was a writer, and his father an artist. After spending his teenage years in New Mexico, he pursued a degree in political science at the University of Mexico. He later earned his master’s and PhD in English from Stanford University.
Initially focusing on poetry, Momaday’s foray into novel writing was an unexpected outcome of his early reputation. Fran McCullough, an editor at what is now HarperCollins, approached him years after their meeting at Stanford and asked if he would be interested in publishing a book of poems. When Momaday couldn’t provide enough material for a complete book, he instead shared the first chapter of what would become House Made Of Dawn.
Even after more than five decades since the publication of his first novel, Momaday humbly acknowledged the influence his work had on other writers. He expressed gratitude for the recognition but did not claim sole credit for the impact his writing had on the literary world.
N Scott Momaday leaves behind a lasting legacy as a literary giant and advocate for Native American culture. His unique voice and contribution to American literature will continue to inspire generations to come.
.
– N Scott Momaday, Pulitzer-winning giant of Native American stories, dies at 89
– N Scott Momaday, renowned Native American author, passes away at 89.
