| Sherman Alexie | |
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Sherman Alexie in 2007 |
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| Born | Sherman Joseph Alexie, Jr. October 7, 1966 Wellpinit, Washington |
| Died | N/A |
| Occupation | Poet, Short-Story Writer, Novelist, Screenwriter, Filmmaker |
| Nationality | Spokane/Coeur d'Alene/American |
| Genres | Native American literature, Humor, Documentary fiction |
| Literary movement | Indigenous Nationalism |
| Notable work(s) | The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, Smoke Signals (film) |
| Notable award(s) | American Book Award, National Book Award, PEN/Hemingway, PEN/Faulkner |
Sherman Joseph Alexie, Jr. (born October 7, 1966) is a writer, poet, filmmaker, and occasional comedian. Much of his writing draws on his experiences as a Native American. Two of Alexie's best known works are The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven (1994), a book of short stories and Smoke Signals, a film. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian, a semi-autobiographical young adult novel for which he won a 2007 National Book Award[1], was his latest commercial success. He lives in Seattle, Washington.[2]
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Sherman Alexie was born on October 7, 1966[3] in the Spokane Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, Washington. He was born with hydrocephalus, which caused him to suffer from seizures throughout his childhood.[3] Alexie made the conscious decision to leave his reservation and attend Reardan High School in Reardan, where he knew he would receive a better education.[4]
In 1985, Alexie enrolled at Gonzaga University on a scholarship. In 1987, he transferred to Washington State University (WSU), where he fell under the influence of Alexander Kuo. Kuo inspired Alexie to write poetry, and soon after graduating, Alexie published his first collection of poems, The Business of Fancy Dancing, through Hanging Loose Press.[4]
In 2005, Alexie became a founding Board Member of Longhouse Media, a non-profit organization that is committed to teaching filmmaking skills to Native American youth, and to use media for cultural expression and social change. Mr. Alexie has long supported youth programs and initiatives dedicated to uplifting at-risk Native youth.[5]
Alexie is married to Diane Tomhave, who is of Hidatsa, Ho-Chunk and Potawatomi heritage. They live in Seattle with their two sons.[4]
Alexie is also noted for his love of basketball, both as an audience member and a player. He was a loyal and enthusiastic supporter of the now relocated Seattle SuperSonics. His writings on the sport are frequently cited by notable basketball writers, such as ESPN's Henry Abbott.
Prior to the SuperSonics' relocation, the City of Seattle filed a lawsuit against the team's ownership group headed by businessman Clayton Bennett in an attempt to force the team to play out the remainder of its lease (which was to expire in 2010) in Seattle's KeyArena. Alexie testified in favor of the city, stressing the importance of the Sonics to Seattle's culture and community, as well as to individual fans - an experience that he would later describe as the "most terrifying and stressful public speaking gig I've ever had to endure."[6] However, the City of Seattle settled with the ownership group, permitting the team to break its lease and move to Oklahoma City for the following season, in exchange for a multi-million dollar cash settlement. Despite the personal and communal loss, Alexie retains his love for the game, and continues to follow professional basketball passionately.
Alexie's stories have been included in several prestigious short story anthologies, including The Best American Short Stories 2004, edited by Lorrie Moore; and Pushcart Prize XXIX of the Small Presses. Additionally, a number of his pieces have been published in various literary magazines and journals, as well as online publications.
Alexie's works have been translated into many languages. His translators include:
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