Dr. Franci Washburn holds Bachelor of Arts and Masters of Arts degrees in English, Creative Writing, and a Ph.D. in American Studies from the University of New Mexico. She writes poetry, short fiction and novels, and has published articles in Indigenous Nations Studies Journal, American Indian Quarterly, and Studies in American Indian Literature. Her first novel, Elsie's Business, will be released from the University of Nebraska Press in the fall of 2006. A book of poetry is ready for submission and a second novel is in progress as well as a non-fiction book entitled James R. Walker and the Lakota Creation Story. Her areas of interest include creative writing, poetry and fiction; Lakota culture, history and politics; American Indian Literature; Literary Theory; and American Indian Art, particularly American Indian beadwork. presented March 2, 2011.