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Author and poet, Sherman Alexie, earns laughs at Lawlor

April 4, 2007

As Sherman Alexie spoke in front of a packed house in the Silver and Blue Room at Lawlor Events Center April 4, the crowd laughed with him, cursed with him, and applauded him.

The author and comedian joked about his experience as a kid growing up on the Spokane Indian Reservation in the state of Washington, as well as his experience on the Oprah Show. Alexie spoke for over an hour while poking fun at liberals, Republicans, "white people," and Indians.

Rita Sanford, a Nevada student, attended the talk after reading his book, 10 Little Indians for her English 345 class.

"I didn't expect him to be so funny," Sanford said. "I think he shook a couple people."

Sanford continued, saying she wished she had invited some of her friends.

"I expected a dry speech," Sanford said.

Alexie marveled at his success. "Fifteen years ago, I was a goofy res (reservation) kid," Alexie said.

Alexie was recently invited to be part of the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, Calif.

Alexie has written more than 15 books –- many of which are poetry –- and the screenplay for the 1998 movie Smoke Signals. His new book, Flight is in stores this month.