Hayes, Ernestine 1945-

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Hayes, Ernestine 1945-

PERSONAL:

Born 1945, in Juneau, AK. Ethnicity: "Tlingit." Education: University of Alaska at Anchorage, M.F.A., 1993.

ADDRESSES:

Office—Juneau, AK. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER:

University of Alaska Southeast, Juneau, writing teacher.

WRITINGS:

Blonde Indian: An Alaska Native Memoir, University of Arizona Press (Tucson, AZ), 2006.

SIDELIGHTS:

Tlingit writer and storyteller Ernestine Hayes grew up distinctly fair-haired compared to her Native American relatives in Juneau, Alaska. Her grandmother, who cared for Hayes during much of her childhood while her mother spent time in the local public hospital receiving treatment for tuberculosis, used to sing songs to her, calling her a "blonde Indian." The reference became shorthand for many of the troubles she faced due to her appearance and her mixed heritage. In her autobiographical work, Blonde Indian: An Alaska Native Memoir, Hayes describes her experiences growing up and her eventual journey into the outside world. Leaving Alaska, she felt even more separated from the people around her because of racial discrimination.

The structure of Hayes's story is unique in that she uses native myths and fictional characters, hiding parts of her story in the experiences of a young boy called Tom. She also alters the point of view of the work, including both first- and third-person narratives to tell her complete tale. Sally Ito, in a review for the Water-Bridge Review, called Hayes's effort "a wise book, a story told by a true elder of the people." Booklist contributor Deborah Donovan called the book "a rewarding, evocative, ultimately uplifting view of Native life." Despite the darkness of the subject matter, Hayes maintains a positive outlook; therefore, Anchorage Daily News critic Cinthia Ritchie remarked: "This is not a sad story. The writing is too beautiful, the voice too lyrical."