About
Richard Arlin Walker grew up in Southern California, the son of a Mexican/Yaqui mother and a father of mostly Irish ancestry (from Dublin and Skibbereen). Walker is a journalist and mariner living in Anacortes, Washington.
He is the author of:
• "frybread dreams & other poems" (Deer Dancer Press, 2020)
• "Point No Point" (Arcadia Publishing, 2019)
• "The Journey Home" (Red Bird Chapbooks, 2012)
• "Roche Harbor" (Arcadia Publishing, 2009)
He is a co-author of:
• "Indian Country Stylebook for Editors, Reporters and Writers" (Deer Dancer Press, 2020)
In addition to his books, his poetry has been published in "Yellow Medicine Review: A Journal of Indigenous Literature, Art, and Thought" (Southwest Minnesota State University), Indian Country Today, and Kitsap Weekly.
He and his wife, Molly Neely-Walker (Samish) enjoy cultural events, outdoor activities and exploring the great Pacific Northwest.
Here are some reviewer comments about his work.
"ROCHE HARBOR":
"There is nothing quite so pleasing as reading a well-written book of non-fiction about the place in which you live ... This is an excellent walk through local history." — The Islands Weekly, Lopez Island, Washington
"THE JOURNEY HOME"
"These poems are loving portraits of a strong people. Not only powerful, but they speak the beauty of truth." — Anita Endrezze, poet and artist ("Throwing Fire at the Sun, Water at the Moon," University of Arizona Press).
"I haven't used literature to teach before, but, after reading Mexican/Yaqui poet Richard Walker's work, I'm seriously considering it. In addition to containing many beautiful poems, Walker's chapbook, 'The Journey Home,' seems like it is uniquely designed to help non-Indian students understand aspects of indigenous culture that some find difficult." — Ann Tweedy, law professor and poet.
• "Tying together the strands of family, history, and identity, it reaches back across generations and geographic boundaries to illuminate not only the author's struggle to understand himself but also his family's journey and place in the world ... 'The Journey Home' [is] an enjoyable collection." — Robert Hybben, graduate teaching assistant at Hamline University and independent book reviewer
• "Walker does a beautiful job of letting people of the past speak to the present ... His desire to make readers see old traditions as living ones that still have place and purpose is unmistakable. That, for me, is why these poems are successful." — Sarah Clay, independent book reviewer, Red Bird Chapbooks
"FRYBREAD DREAMS & OTHER POEMS"
• "It’s very good — and I don’t say that lightly. I could feel the emotion in it, the struggle as well as the awe, and it moved me close to tears a couple times. I found it hard to stop reading once I had picked it up." — Alexis Orsini, wellness coach and bibliophile
Featured Work
Indian Country Stylebook for Editors, Writers and Journalists
Larger, updated edition with expanded definitions and references.
The Indian Country Stylebook is patterned after the Associated Press Stylebook for familiarity and ease of use. The fully reviewed guide contains more than 100 entries, with correct spellings, word usage, and legal references; a briefing on American Indian Law; a briefing on news-gathering in Indian Country; a directory of Indigenous nations in Washington; and a directory of Indian Country media in Washington.
“Any journalist covering Indian Country, Native Americans, Tribal Nations needs this well-organized book. As easy to use as the AP Stylebook.” — Journalist Terri Hansen, Winnebago
