Author Marcie Rendon Presents in Native Authors Series

November 20, 2024

Perpich Center for Arts Education welcomed Marcie Rendon (White Earth Nation), award-winning author, playwright, poet, and freelance writer as our guest on November 19, 2024 in our Native Authors Series. The series of guest speakers is specifically designed to introduce K-12 educators and librarians to books by Dakota and Ojibwe authors and illustrators. Each gathering features an interview and Q&A with a guest presenter, resource lists, and includes time in the Perpich Library to peruse our extensive collection of books by Native authors. The series is hosted by Perpich’s Professional Development and Resource Programs (PDR).

Marcie Rendon speaks to a gathered audience at the Native Authors Series on November 19, 2024

Rendon was interviewed by Mary Harding, Dance Education Specialist. “It was an incredible honor to interview author Marcie Rendon for our Native Authors Series,” said Harding. “Marcie is an acclaimed author, a social justice activist, and a Perpich parent! My conversation with Marcie highlighted her amazing thoughtfulness about writing and the way it serves so many communities. She was direct in her discussion of how to approach Native storytelling and encouraged us, as educators, to work past our fear of teaching it wrong. She spoke about the history of Native tribes and communities in our state and how the trauma of displacement and eradication is an ongoing tale. This history is present in her work and in the interview.”

Dr. Wendy Barden, Director of PDR, said, “It was an honor to meet Marcie Rendon and learn about her life experiences. Her books are so much more than fictional stories; I’m going to read them again with a new and deeper perspective.”

Also a community arts activist, Rendon supports other native artists/writers/creators to pursue their art, and is a speaker for colleges and community groups on Native issues, leadership, and writing. She has been recognized as a 50 over 50 Change-maker by MN AARP and POLLEN and is a 2020 McKnight Distinguished Artist. Also in 2020, Marcie Rendon was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Adler University in recognition for her years of work as a distinguished social justice champion, author, and arts activist.

Marcie Rendon (seated) poses with a group of educators in the Perpich Library

Participants at this event were treated to an interview and Q&A with Marcie Rendon and a copy of one of her books, and then visited the extensive and growing collection of books in the Perpich Library by Native authors. Visit the Native Authors & Artists Series webpage to read a transcript of her interview, coming soon.

Our next guest is artist and illustrator Sam Zimmerman (Grand Portage Ojibwe) on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. Registration to attend his event will be open in January.

Ms. Rendon is an award-winning author, playwright, poet, and freelance writer. Also a community arts activist, she supports other native artists/writers/creators to pursue their art, and is a speaker for colleges and community groups on Native issues, leadership, and writing. Rendon has been recognized as a 50 over 50 Change-maker by MN AARP and POLLEN and is a 2020 McKnight Distinguished Artist.

Some of the works by Marcie Rendon:

• Where They Last Saw Her – released 9/3/24
• Murder on the Red River – A Cash Blackbear Mystery
• Girl Gone Missing – A Cash Blackbear Mystery
• Sinister Graves – A Cash Blackbear Mystery
• Stitches of Tradition (Gashkigwaaso Traditions) – Children’s picture book released 10/22/24
• Anishinaabe Songs for a New Millennium
• Native Artists: Livelihoods, Resources, Space, Gifts

Read the interview with Marcie Rendon on our Native Authors & Artists Series webpage, coming soon.