Kent Nerburn
Kent Nerburn: A Life of Writing and Wisdom
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Kent Nerburn is the full name of this American author, writer, and speaker known for his thought-provoking works that explore the human condition.
Birth and Death Dates
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Born on July 20, 1948, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kent Nerburn's life has been marked by a passion for writing, teaching, and community service. As of my knowledge cutoff, he is still alive.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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Kent Nerburn is an American author, writer, and speaker who has dedicated his life to exploring the human condition through his work. His professional background spans various fields, including teaching, writing, and editing.
Early Life and Background
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Growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Kent Nerburn was exposed to the values of compassion, empathy, and social justice from an early age. His parents' influence instilled in him a deep respect for all people, regardless of their background or circumstances. This foundation would later shape his writing and public service endeavors.
Nerburn's educational journey took him to the University of Minnesota, where he earned a degree in English literature. He went on to teach at various institutions, including high schools and colleges, while simultaneously honing his writing skills. This dual passion for teaching and writing laid the groundwork for his future success as an author.
Major Accomplishments
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Kent Nerburn's literary career has been marked by numerous accomplishments that have earned him recognition within the literary community and beyond. Some of his most notable works include:
The Wolf at Twilight: An Indian Elder's Journey Through a Land of Ghosts and Shadows: This memoir, co-authored with Thomas Yellowtail, chronicles the life story of a Crow elder who survived the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Neither Wolf nor Dog: On Forgotten Creatures, Strange Gods, and Uncommon Bedfellows: This novel explores themes of identity, community, and social justice through the eyes of a Native American elder.
The Life of Vision: A Memoir: In this work, Nerburn reflects on his life's journey, sharing stories of love, loss, and transformation.
Nerburn has received numerous awards for his writing, including the Minnesota Book Award and the Willa Cather Literary Festival's Fiction Prize. His contributions to literature have also been recognized through his inclusion in various anthologies and literary magazines.
Notable Works or Actions
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Kent Nerburn's commitment to public service is evident through his involvement with various organizations dedicated to promoting education, social justice, and community development. Some notable examples include:
Co-founding the Minnesota Book Awards: This organization aims to celebrate and recognize outstanding works of literature from within the state.
Teaching writing workshops: Nerburn has conducted numerous writing workshops for students of all ages, focusing on themes such as creativity, self-expression, and social responsibility.Impact and Legacy
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Kent Nerburn's impact extends far beyond his written works. His dedication to community service, education, and social justice has inspired countless individuals across various fields. Through his stories, he sheds light on the human condition, encouraging readers to reflect on their own values, relationships, and place within society.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Kent Nerburn's enduring legacy can be attributed to several factors:
Thought-provoking writing style: His works are characterized by a unique blend of storytelling, philosophy, and social commentary.
Passion for community service: Nerburn's commitment to public service has earned him recognition within the literary community and beyond.
Ability to connect with diverse audiences: Through his stories, he transcends cultural boundaries, speaking directly to readers' hearts and minds.
As a testament to his lasting impact, Kent Nerburn continues to be widely quoted and remembered for his thought-provoking works, inspiring new generations of writers, teachers, and community leaders.
Quotes by Kent Nerburn
In my ears I have heard the words of Sitting Bull, telling me that white people are not to be trusted. But I have also heard the words of Black Kettle, who told us to reach out a hand of peace.
Your people must learn to give up their arrogance. They are not the only ones placed on this earth. Theirs is not the only way. People have worshiped the Creator and loved their families in many ways in all places. Your people must learn to honor this.
In some corner of your life, you know more about something than anyone else on earth. The true measure of your education is not what you know, but how you share what you know with others.
But the old Lakota was wise. He knew that man’s heart, away from nature, becomes hard; he knew that lack of respect for growing, living things soon led to lack of respect for humans, too. So he kept his children close to nature’s softening influence. – Chief Luther Standing Bear Oglala Sioux Some.
Indian faith sought the harmony of man with his surroundings; the other sought the dominance of surroundings. In.
And here is something that I think is important – your religion didn’t come from the land. It could be carried around with you. You couldn’t understand what it meant to us to have our religion in the land. Your religion was in a cup and a piece of bread, and that could be carried in a box. Your priests could make it sacred anywhere. You couldn’t understand that what was sacred for us was where we were, because that is where the sacred things had happened and where the spirits talked to us.
A tragedy has taken place on our land, and even though it did not take place on our watch, we are its inheritors, and the earth remembers.
Once I was in Victoria, and I saw a very large house. They told me it was a bank, and that the white men place their money there to be taken care of, and that by and by they got it back, with interest. We are Indians, and we have no such bank; but when we have plenty of money or blankets, we give them away to other chiefs and people, and by and by they return them, with interest, and our hearts feel good. Our way of giving is our bank. – Maquinna Nootka Chief.
Every once in a while I would have to go to a powwow and put on some feathers so you could believe I was a real Indian. But other than that you would think I was smarter and more important if I lived in a big house and owned lots of things. That’s just the way white people are. It’s the way you are trained.
White eyes, Nerburn. You’ve got white eyes. The boy probably left it there. This is what I mean. Watch our little children. They might get a bike and ride it, then just leave it somewhere, like that. You say they are irresponsible. They are just being like their ancestors who believed that you owned something only so long as you needed it. Then you passed it to someone else.