Native American Authors

Preston Jefferson Arrow-weed
, 1940-

Quechan

Born at Ft. Yuma Indian Reservation. Attended Indian
school there. Joined the U.S. Marines at 17. After an honorable discharge from the Marines, he worked as an actor in Hollywood, both stage and screen, and is a SAG member. Mr. Arrow-weed is also a director, producer, and playwright. Founder and director of the California Inter-Tribal Theatre. Drama teacher, D.Q. University.
As an environmentalist, he has been actively involved in saving sacred sites from destruction by mining and other forms of destruction. He has served in the U.S. Bureau of Land Management’s Desert Advisory Council. Mr. Arrow-weed continues to write. His most recent manuscript is a script of the Quechan Lightning Song. Mr. Arrow-weed is also a tribal singer, able to sing in two Hokan dialects.
As an educator Mr. Arrow-weed taught Quechan language on the Ft. Yuma Indian Reservation. He has participated in the Master-Apprentice Program of the California Advocates for Indigenous Language Survival by teaching tribal songs and language to youth. He has also taught language and song in the reservation high school. In his private life, Mr. Arrow-weed has also worked at Security Guard, retiring as Captain of Security from the Quechan Housing Authority.

Awards and Honors

Award of Merit, 2003, by The Desert Protective Council foractivism to protect endangered sacred sites.
California Indian Heritage Preservation Award by the Society for California Archaeology.

Books by Preston Jefferson Arrow-weed:

Arrow-weed, Preston Jefferson. Whirlwind Warrior
Imperial, CA : Imperial Valley College Desert Museum Society, 2001.
Language: English
Audience: Adult

Return to Native American Authors Home