Henry, Gordon Jr.
Oct. 19, 1955 –
Place of birth: Philadelphia, PA
Place of Principle Residence: Big Rapids, MI
Biography:
Gordon Henry, an Anishinabe poet and novelist, grew up traveling to different military bases with his father Gordon, a member of the U.S. Navy, and his mother MaryAnne. Henry got his Bachelor’s Degree at University of Wisconsin – Parkside in 1980. His first break into fame came during his Master’s work in the English/Creative Writing program at Michigan State University where his poetry was included in Songs From This Earth on Turtle’s Back: An Anthology of Contemporary American Indian Poetry. Before getting his doctorate at University of North Dakota in 1992 Henry worked as an assistant professor at Ferris State University. He accepted a position as assistant professor of English at Michigan State University in 1993, where he remains today. Henry is a member of the Chippewa Tribe on the White Earth Reservation and has three children, Kelhi Ardis, Mira Ann, and Emily Rose.
Selected works:
- Pine Point Her Breath (1985)
- How Soon (1985)
- The Failure of Certain Charms (1991)
- Sleeping in Rain (1983)
- The Dream of The Golden Arrow, Leaving Skin, and Ahwosso—Past (1999)
Awards:
- 1997 Nominated for an Excellence in Teaching Award, The College of Arts and Letters, Michigan State University
- 1995 The American Book Award, for The Light People; presented by the Before Columbus Foundation, Oakland, California
- 1995 The Maxwell Anderson Alumni Award for outstanding achievements in arts and letters; presented by the English Department, the University of North Dakota
- 1994 Nominated for a National Book Award, for The Light People, by the University of Oklahoma Press
- 1994-95 Fulbright Lectureship, Fulbright Scholarship Board, Washington, D.C.
- 1992 Nominated for a Distinguished Teaching Award, College of Arts and Sciences, Ferris State University
- 1986 D’Arcy McNickle Memorial Fellowship, McNickle Center for the History of the American Indian, The Newberry Library, Chicago, Illinois
- 1985 Katherine B. Tiffany Award for outstanding graduate student in the English Department, The University of North Dakota
- 1985 North Country Poetry Award, The University of North Dakota
- 1985 Thomas McGrath Poetry Award, University of North Dakota
- 1984 The American Academy of Poets Thomas McGrath Award, University of North Dakota
- 1983 Minority Merit Fellowship, through the American Culture Program, The University of Michigan
Critical Reception:
Gordon Henry is noted for the strong ties in his writing to Native American culture and imagery. His work has been widely published and he has received several awards for both his books and poetry.
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Henry focuses on his family history and the oral traditions of the Anishinabe (Ojibwa). He spreads his stories both locally and regionally as a storyteller and lecturer.