Deborah Jackson Taffa, Author

Multipurpose Room. Deborah Jackson Taffa is the director of the MFA CW Program at the Institute of American Indian Arts. Her memoir WHISKEY TENDER received a starred review from Publisher's Weekly and the publication named the book one of the top ten most anticipated memoirs of 2024. She is a citizen of the Quechan (Yuma) Nation and Laguna Pueblo and lives in Santa Fe, NM. WHISKEY TENDER follows Deborah from her early childhood on a reservation to the life-changing move to New Mexico with her family and discovered both her "Indian" status and what Natives were living daily. Along with sharing her experiences in a strict Catholic school, a dangerous public high school, and turmoil at home, Deborah Jackson Taffa offers insights into generational trauma, systemic oppression, the Red Power movement, and specific tribal histories, myths, and traditions—including the Quechan tribe's particular views regarding oral and recorded histories. Come to tonight's event and hear from her first-hand experiences what it was like living in this constant turmoil about belonging. You will have this opportunity to ask questions, and talk to Deborah about shared experiences.