Home > News > Headlines

Print   Subscribe

Hundreds pay tribute to Pueblo storyteller, linguist
Thursday, September 21, 2006


Hundreds of people attended the funeral and ceremony for Esther Martinez, a nationally recognized Pueblo storyteller and linguist.

Martinez was from Ohkay Owingeh, formerly known as San Juan Pueblo. She was a longtime Tewa language instructor at the Bureau of Indian Affairs school on the reservation and a renowned storyteller.

"Words and stories can't convey who she was or what she meant to our family," said her grandson, Matthew Martinez, The Santa Fe New Mexican reported.

Martinez, 94, was known by her Tewa name, Poe Tsawa, which means Blue Water. Most everyone referred to her as their Ko'oe, or aunt,

She was killed in an accident Saturday night in Espanola, a town next to the reservation. She was coming home after receiving the National Heritage Fellowship in Washington, D.C.

Police say the man who hit her car was drinking. Jaime Martinez Gonzalez, 44, has been charged with vehicular homicide.

Get the Story:
A life of stories (The Santa Fe New Mexican 9/21)
Username: indianz@indianz.com, Password: indianz

a2006 National Heritage Fellowships:
Bio: Esther Martinez | List of Recipients

Related Stories:
Man charged with death of Pueblo storyteller (9/20)
Funeral for Esther Martinez set for Wednesday (9/19)
Esther Martinez, linguist and storyteller, dies at 94 (9/18)
Pueblo woman keeps Tewa language, culture alive (08/28)
Pueblo woman wins National Heritage Fellowship (06/16)

Copyright © 2000-2006 Indianz.Com