General Information on Gerald Vizenor

Widely thought of as one of the most influential Native American writers of all time, Gerald Vizenor challenges both native and non-native Americans to consider the roles of an American Indian. Born in Minneapolis, Vizenor has been challenged with constructing his personal the identity of an American Indian. This challenge is largely a result of loosing his Anishinaabe (Chippewa), father at the age of 3 to a murder (Minnesota Author Biographies Project). After the death of his father, Vizenor lived on the White Earth Resrvation with family which is located in North Western Minnesota (White Earth Map). It is here where he started learning customs and beliefs of the Chippewa tribe.