Esther Martinez
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Esther Martinez (1912 – September 16, 2006) was a linguist and storyteller for the Tewa people of the U.S. states of Arizona and New Mexico. Martinez was given the American Indian name P'oe Tswa (meaning Blue Water) and was also known by various affctionate nicknames, including "Ko'oe Esther" and "Aunt Esther".
Martinez was raised, mostly by her grandparents, in northern New Mexico. Over time she developed a great love for the native language of the Tewa; as an adult she would become one of the greatest champions in the fight to preserve this language.
From 1974 to 1989, Martinez taught Tewa in various schools across Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. She was also the first person to translate the New Testament into Tewa.
On September 16, 2006 Martinez was returning home after a ceremony in which she was honoured with membership in the National Heritage Fellowship by the National Endowment for the Arts. Near Española, New Mexico the car in which she was riding was hit by another vehicle. Martinez was killed in this crash.
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