Sherman Alexie Northwest author and speaker. Wrote script for Smoke Signals Early years Born October 1966 A Spokane/Coeur d'Alene Indian Grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation Challenges Born hydrocephalic (water on the brain) Underwent a brain operation at the age of 6 months Was not expected to survive. Challenges Doctors predicted he would live with severe mental retardation Severe side effects (seizures and bed- wetting) throughout his childhood. Challenges Alexie was a loner in his early years. He was teased by some of his classmates in elementary school. Victories Education Reardan High School “The only Indian...except for the school mascot." Education Excellent student academically A star player on the basketball team. Education After two years at Gonzaga, he transferred to Washington State University Awards Washington State Arts Commission Poetry Fellowship in 1991 National Endowment for the Arts Poetry Fellowship in 1992.