Award-winning Diné poet reading tonight
By Natasha Kaye Johnson, Diné Bureau

Writer and Poet Esther Belin will be reading and discussing her book of poetry called "From the Belly of My Beauty" tonight at UNM-Gallup branch. Her poetry has appeared in numerous publications and her book has won an American Book Award. Independent File Photo from March 2000.

GALLUP—Tonight, Esther Belin, Diné poet, will be reading poetry from her latest book "From the Belly of My Beauty" as part of the UNM-Gallup Cultural Arts Council series.

"We try to bring in poets who have published with major presses," said Gloria Dyk, professor of creative writing and composition, and Native American literature at the UNM Gallup Branch.

"The University of Arizona has a series, and I picked her for that reason," said Dyk. This will be the first time that Belin will be reading at the Gallup branch.

Belin's first collection of poetry, "From the Belly of My Beauty," which was published at the University of Arizona under the Sun Tracks series in 1999, has won an American Book Award. Her essays, poems, and stories, have appeared in numerous publications, including the anthologies "Neon Pow Wow," "Speaking for the Generations: Native Writers on Writing," and "Home is in the Blood."

Born in 1968 and raised in Los Angeles, Belin asserts that the Navajo Nation has always been her homeland. She is a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts and UC Berkeley, and currently lives in Durango, Colorado.

Dyk believes that along with winning a National Book Award and being published by a major press, Belin's work is unique since she was born and raised in Los Angeles as a result the Federal Indian Relocation Act.

"I thought that my be interesting to our student population," said Dyk.

Belin's poetry presents aspects of Din life and history not normally seen by readers accustomed to accounts written by Navajos brought up on the reservation. Her writing expresses subjects of urban alienation, racism, sexism, substance abuse, and cultural estrangement. The poems within her book contrast urban California with Navajo life in the Four Corners Region, and touch upon the Native Americans affected by the Federal Indian Relocation Program of the 1950's and 60's and its attempt to assimilate Native Americans into American mainstream. Library Journal said that Belin provides graphic descriptions of the "wounds" one endured remaining true to a "native lifestyle."

"A new generation of Native American writers is coming in to being," said Dyk. Dyk also believes that Belin's visit will be beneficial to students who are interested in writing as a career.

"Maybe she can speak directly to some of our younger students." Dyk said she knows a number of students who are serious about getting their work published.

"Part of purpose of the reading is to show students who are out there that there is a venue for them," said Dyk. As a prelude to Belin's reading, there will also be three students who will be reading their work.

"It's a new experience for them," she said.

Last year, Sherwin Bitsui, a Navajo poet and writer from Whitecone, AZ, came in for a poetry reading.

"That was a big success, " said Dyk. Bitsui's first book "Shapeshift" was also part of the U of A's Sun Tracks series. Dyk said the Cultural Arts Council has had the series going for seven years and has been pretty successful. The council already has Joy Harjo scheduled to read next fall.

Belin will be reading tonight at 7 in the Ingham Chapman Gallery on the UNM-Gallup campus. The reading is free and open to the public.