Ofelia Zepeda

Ofelia Zepeda (born in Stanfield, Arizona, 1952) is an American poet and academic.

Life
Zepeda, a member of the Tohone O’odham (formerly Papago) Nation, grew up in Stanfield, Arizona.

Zepeda is a professor of linguistics at the University of Arizona, and is well known for her efforts in the preservation of her native language and promotion literacy in it. She is also known for her work as a consultant and advocate on behalf of a number of American indigenous languages. Her book A Papago Grammar is the standard textbook used to teach the Tohono O'odham language. She was a student of MIT linguistics professor Ken Hale.

For several years, she has continued to serve as editor for numerous journals and book series.

In 2012, her book was banned by Tucson schools.

Recognition
In 1999, Zepeda received a MacArthur Fellowship. She is the Poet Laureate of Tucson, Arizona.

Publications

 * When It Rains: Papago and Pima poetry = Mat hekid o ju, 'O'odham Na-cegitodag (1982)
 * A Papago Grammar (1983)
 * Ocean Power: Poems from the Desert (1995)
 * Home Places: Contemporary Native American Writing from Sun Tracks (1995)
 * Where Clouds Are Formed (2008)
 * Jewed 'i-Hoi / Riding the Earth (2009)