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Joseph Bruchac shares his extensive knowledge of Native American culture through his books,
poetry, storytelling, and music. Some of his ancestors belonged to the Abenaki tribe, whose
traditional homelands were in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Bruchac was raised by his grandparents in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.
For years his grandfather denied that Bruchac had any Native American heritage because
he did not want him to face prejudice. Not until Bruchac was an adult did he uncover the
truth and begin to appreciate the rich folklore of his Native American ancestors. He says
he likes to share traditional stories because "they have messages, sometimes very subtle,
which can help show young people the good paths to follow."
Bruchac has authored or co-authored more than 50 books. One of his most recent is his autobiography,
Bowman's Store, to be published this year by The Dial Press. In 1970, Bruchac and his wife
founded the Greenfield Review Press, which publishes multicultural literature. Before becoming a
writer and publisher, Bruchac taught English in the West African country of Ghana and taught
African and African-American literature in New York State.
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