UNCA to Host Talk by Acclaimed Native American Author
Sherman Alexie

Sherman Alexie

UNC Asheville will host a talk by acclaimed Native American author, poet and screenwriter Sherman Alexie at 12:15 p.m. Thursday, April 3, in UNCA's Lipinsky Auditorium. Alexie's talk, "Without Reservations: An Urban Indian's Comic, Poetic and Highly Irreverent Look at the World," will be followed by a book signing. The event is free and open to the public.

Alexie, a Spokane/Coeur d'Alene Indian, is the author of more than 14 books, including the award-winning novels "Indian Killer" and "Reservation Blues" and the short story collection "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven." In 1999, The New Yorker acknowledged Alexie as one of the top 20 writers for the 21st century. He is the current reigning World Heavyweight Poetry Bout champion and recently released a new collection of poetry, "One Stick Song."

In 1998, Alexie wrote and produced the feature film "Smoke Signals." It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and won the Audience Award and the Filmmakers Trophy. His latest film, "The Business of Fancy Dancing," opened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. He is currently working on the screenplay adaptation of his novel "Reservation Blues" for SearchParty Films.

For more information, call Barbara Halton-Subkis, UNCA Student Life Assistant Director, at 828/251-6674.

Media Contacts:

• Barbara Halton-Subkis, UNCA Student Life Assistant Director, 828/251-6674
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526