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E. Donald Two-Rivers

イー・ドナルド・トゥーリバーズ

E. Donald Two-Rivers

Aliases: Ed Two-Rivers / Donald Two-River / Donald Two-Rivers
Pen Names: Ed（Used as a common/stage name）

Profile

Gender
Male
Died
2008-12-27 （Chicago, Illinois, United States (presumed)）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English, Ojibwe
Residence History
Reservation (childhood) → Chicago, Illinois

Career

Occupations
poet, playwright, spoken-word performer, activist, artistic director
Active Years
1970-2008
Affiliations
Founding Artistic Director, Red Path Theater Company

Awards

Iron Eyes Cody Award for Peace
1992
Result: 受賞
American Book Award
1992
Work: A Dozen Cold Ones (poetry)
Organization: Before Columbus Foundation
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

A Dozen Cold Ones by Two Rivers: Native American Poetry in an Urban Setting

1992 poetry

A collection of poems presenting the perspective of urban Native Americans, addressing themes of city life, identity, and resistance.

urban Native identityresistancecommunity

Pow-Wows and Fat Cats

2003 poetry anthology

A collection of poems that satirize and lyrically explore Native culture, politics, and urban society.

Native culturesatireurban life

In the Spirit of the Coyote

2007 poetry/prose (final book/work)

A later work written near the end of the author's life, addressing trickster (coyote) figures and strategies for survival in the city.

trickster (coyote)survivalurban Native

Survivors' Medicine

short story collection

A short story collection exploring community, history, and individual resilience.

resiliencecommunityhistory

Briefcase Warriors

play

A play depicting Native struggles and identity against a political and urban backdrop.

politicsurban societyidentity

Bibliography

  • A Dozen Cold Ones by Two Rivers: Native American Poetry in an Urban Setting (1992)
  • Pow-Wows and Fat Cats (2003)
  • In the Spirit of the Coyote (c.2007, final work)
  • Survivors' Medicine (short stories)
  • Chili Corn (play)
  • Coyote Sits In Judgement (play)
  • Forked Tongues (play)
  • I Aint Tonto (play)
  • No Honors Today (play)
  • Old Indian Trick (play)
  • Peeking Out Of Ameriks Museums (play)
  • Pow-Wow Posse (play)
  • Red Requiem - A Political Intrigue On City Streets (play)
  • Shattered Dream (play)
  • Sunka Cheslie (The Urban Pile) (play)
  • Survivors Medicine (play)
  • Whats Buzzin Cousin? (play)
  • Winter Summit (play)
  • Briefcase Warriors (play)

Adaptations

  • Mosaic inspired by the poem "Indian Land Dancing" (Uptown Chicago, 2009)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
colloquial, rhythmic spoken-word stylemix of realism and lyricism foregrounding urban Native perspectives
Recurring Motifs
coyote/trickstertension between city and traditionself-determination and resilience

Legacy

E. Donald Two-Rivers was an important writer and activist who amplified urban Native American voices through both stage and poetry. As founder of Red Path Theater he supported Native theater communities; his awards and a public mosaic inspired by his poem contributed to a lasting local cultural legacy.

In Popular Culture

  • Mosaic inspired by the poem "Indian Land Dancing" in Chicago's Uptown (2009)

Quotes

  • 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.
    Source: Interview/statement (source unspecified)

Trivia

  • Won the American Book Award in 1992.
  • Received the Iron Eyes Cody Award for Peace in 1992.
  • Founded and served as artistic director of the Chicago‑based Red Path Theater Company.
  • A mosaic inspired by his poem "Indian Land Dancing" was dedicated in Uptown Chicago in 2009.
  • Returned to Chicago in 2007 to work on his last book, "In the Spirit of the Coyote."