E. Donald Two-Rivers
Encyclopedia
E. Donald "Ed" Two-Rivers (sometimes known as Donald Two-River) was Anishinaabe
(the correct term for people from the Native American
tribe
also known as the Ojibwa
/Chippewa). He was a noted poet
, playwright
and spoken-word
performer.
Brought up first on the reservation and then in the urban Native community in Chicago
, Two-Rivers has been an activist for Native rights since the 1970s, for which he was awarded the Iron Eyes Cody
Award for Peace in 1992. He is also an accomplished poet, who has, among other honours, been awarded the American Book Award
in 1992. A critic of "victim politics
", Two-Rivers is a strong supporter of programs that give disadvantaged Native peoples
the chance to stand on their own two feet.
He had been critical of Euro-American
directors and actors in the past, saying that "I believe that for non-Natives to perform a Native American play, they would first have to undergo a certain level of sensitivity training
. In fact, I would require it for any of my plays."
E. Donald Two-Rivers was the founding (Artistic Director
) of the Chicago-based Red Path Theater Company.
In 2007, he returned to Chicago, to work on his last book In the Spirit of the Coyote.
He died December 28, 2008.
Anishinaabe
Anishinaabe or Anishinabe—or more properly Anishinaabeg or Anishinabek, which is the plural form of the word—is the autonym often used by the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Algonquin peoples. They all speak closely related Anishinaabemowin/Anishinaabe languages, of the Algonquian language family.The meaning...
(the correct term for people from the Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
tribe
Tribe
A tribe, viewed historically or developmentally, consists of a social group existing before the development of, or outside of, states.Many anthropologists use the term tribal society to refer to societies organized largely on the basis of kinship, especially corporate descent groups .Some theorists...
also known as the Ojibwa
Ojibwa
The Ojibwe or Chippewa are among the largest groups of Native Americans–First Nations north of Mexico. They are divided between Canada and the United States. In Canada, they are the third-largest population among First Nations, surpassed only by Cree and Inuit...
/Chippewa). He was a noted poet
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, playwright
Playwright
A playwright, also called a dramatist, is a person who writes plays.The term is not a variant spelling of "playwrite", but something quite distinct: the word wright is an archaic English term for a craftsman or builder...
and spoken-word
Spoken word
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
performer.
Brought up first on the reservation and then in the urban Native community in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Two-Rivers has been an activist for Native rights since the 1970s, for which he was awarded the Iron Eyes Cody
Iron Eyes Cody
Iron Eyes Cody was an American actor. He frequently portrayed American Indians in Hollywood films. In 1995, Cody was honored by the American Indian community for his work publicizing the plight of Native Americans, including his acting in films...
Award for Peace in 1992. He is also an accomplished poet, who has, among other honours, been awarded the American Book Award
American Book Award
The American Book Award was established in 1978 by the Before Columbus Foundation. It seeks to recognize outstanding literary achievement by contemporary American authors, without restriction to race, sex, ethnic background, or genre...
in 1992. A critic of "victim politics
Victimology
Victimology is the scientific study of victimization, including the relationships between victims and offenders, the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system — that is, the police and courts, and corrections officials — and the connections between victims and other social groups...
", Two-Rivers is a strong supporter of programs that give disadvantaged Native peoples
Indigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples are ethnic groups that are defined as indigenous according to one of the various definitions of the term, there is no universally accepted definition but most of which carry connotations of being the "original inhabitants" of a territory....
the chance to stand on their own two feet.
He had been critical of Euro-American
European American
A European American is a citizen or resident of the United States who has origins in any of the original peoples of Europe...
directors and actors in the past, saying that "I believe that for non-Natives to perform a Native American play, they would first have to undergo a certain level of sensitivity training
Sensitivity training
Sensitivity Training is a form of training that claims to make people more aware of their own prejudices, and more sensitive to others. According to its critics, it involves the use of psychological techniques with groups that its critics, e.g. G. Edward Griffin, claim are often identical to...
. In fact, I would require it for any of my plays."
E. Donald Two-Rivers was the founding (Artistic Director
Artistic director
An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre company, that handles the organization's artistic direction. He or she is generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the organization is generally a non-profit organization...
) of the Chicago-based Red Path Theater Company.
In 2007, he returned to Chicago, to work on his last book In the Spirit of the Coyote.
He died December 28, 2008.
Plays
- Chili Corn
- Coyote Sits In Judgement
- Forked Tongues
- I Aint Tonto
- No Honors Today
- Old Indian Trick
- Peeking Out Of Ameriks Museums
- Pow-Wow Posse
- Red Requiem - A Political Intrigue On City Streets
- Shattered Dream
- Sunka Cheslie (The Urban Pile)
- Survivors Medicine
- Whats Buzzin Cousin?
- Winter Summit
Poetry anthologies
- Pow-Wows and Fat Cats Mammoth 2003, available at www.mammothpublications.com
See also
- List of writers from peoples indigenous to the Americas
- Native American StudiesNative American StudiesNative American Studies is an interdisciplinary academic field that examines the history, culture, politics, issues and contemporary experience of Native peoples in North America, or, taking a hemispheric approach, the Americas...