Minerva Allen (April 24, 1936 - May 24, 2024) was a poet and member of the Assiniboine tribe. She advocated for Native American education and was the author of Spirits Rest (1981).[1] She served as the director of the Lodge Pole Senior Center and a Native American champion at Montana State University.[2]
Early Life
editAllen was born on April 24, 1936 in Big Warm, located in north central Montana[1]. Her father was of French Chippewan descent and her mother was born an Assiniboine-Gros Ventre[1]. Upon being born, Allen was taken outside and held up to the sun to be blessed with life and children in the future[1]. Allen was sent to live with her grandparents due to Assiniboine customs where she lived traditionally to the culture.[1] Her grandfather wanted her to pursue education and at six years old, Allen began school.
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Terreo, John (1991). "Minerva Allen: Educator Linguist Poet". Montana: The Magazine of Western History. 41 (1): 58–68. ISSN 0026-9891.
- ^ "Minerva Allen | Montana State University". www.montana.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-21.