I used to object to being called an Indian writer, and would always say I was a writer who happened to be an Indian, and who happened to write about Indians. James Welch callhappenindian Change image and share on social
Richard Hugo taught me that anyone with a desire to write, an ear for language and a bit of imagination could become a writer. He also, in a way, gave me permission to write about northern Montana. James Welch bitedesireear Change image and share on social
I am definitely a storyteller, but probably not a traditional Storyteller. James Welch storytellertraditional Change image and share on social
To receive this award from an organization I admire so much makes me totally happy and grateful. James Welch admireawardgrateful Change image and share on social
Before, Indian people had been so defeated, they were always looking for outsiders, for the government, to somehow come in and fix things. But now, they seem to realize that they're the only ones who can save themselves. James Welch defeatfixgovernment share on social
I think ethnic and regional labels are insulting to writers and really put restrictions on them. People don't think your work is quite as universal. James Welch ethnicinsultlabel Change image and share on social
In a lot of Indian societies, spirituality has been lost, I think it's still the best way of looking at the world for Indians - better than any organized religion in this country. James Welch countryindianlose Change image and share on social
The title of the poems was The Only Bar in Dixon. We sent it out to The New Yorker on a fluke, and they took them and printed all three in the same issue. James Welch bardixonfluke Change image and share on social
I do believe in the viability of Indian spiritualism. James Welch indianspiritualismviability Change image and share on social
My poems were just kind of all over the place. They had no focus, no location, nothing. Kind of a series of images that could have been set anywhere. A lot of the poems were just exercises for myself. James Welch exercisefocusimage Change image and share on social
