Amber McCrary: Diné Poet, Zine Creator, and Radical Publisher
Amber McCrary, a Diné (Navajo) poet, artist, and publisher, hails from Shonto, Arizona, and was raised in Flagstaff. She has become a significant voice in contemporary Indigenous literature, with a unique blend of punk-influenced aesthetics, intersectional feminism, and Diné identity. McCrary’s work traverses poetry, zines, collages, and radical publishing, with themes rooted in personal and collective history, activism, and empowerment.
Educational Background and Influences
McCrary’s artistic journey began with an early fascination for angsty art, foreign films, and classic punk music, which shaped much of her creative voice. She earned her BA in Political Science with a minor in American Indian Studies from Arizona State University, reflecting her strong engagement with social and political activism. Later, she pursued an MFA in Creative Writing with an emphasis in Poetry at Mills College, where her formal writing education honed her ability to articulate her cultural identity and personal experiences through a poetic lens.
Her influences are wide-ranging, pulling from her experiences as a Diné woman, her love of punk subcultures, and her engagement with intersectional feminism. These diverse influences allow McCrary to offer a multi-dimensional perspective in her writing and art, one that challenges traditional narratives about Indigenous identity while also embracing and celebrating its complexities.
Radical Publishing and Zine Creation
McCrary is not only a poet but also a leading figure in radical publishing. She has been heavily involved in the zine-making movement, creating powerful works that blend her poetic voice with visual art and social commentary. Some of her notable zine projects include:
- DANG! Zine (Daydreaming, Awkward, Native, Girl!) Vol. 1 and Vol. 2: In these zines, McCrary explores themes such as identity, adolescence, awkwardness, and the experience of growing up as a Native girl. These volumes offer a blend of personal stories, artwork, and poetry.
- Angsty Asdzáá: Tales of an Angry Indigenous Womxn: This zine embodies McCrary’s anger and frustrations with societal structures of patriarchy, racism, and the misrepresentation of Indigenous women in mainstream media. “Asdzáá” is the Diné word for “woman,” and through this work, McCrary amplifies the power of Indigenous feminist voices.
- The Asdzáá Beat: This zine continues her exploration of Native identity, with a particular focus on Diné matriarchy and the powerful role of Native women.
Her zine-making process is deeply personal and research-intensive, involving not only historical and contemporary sources but also visits home to speak with family, collect stories, and reflect on her cultural heritage. Her work aims to disrupt colonial narratives while offering new perspectives on Indigenous identity, kinship, and self-expression.
Poetry and Literary Accomplishments
Amber McCrary’s poetry is a powerful medium through which she delves into topics like K’é (Navajo kinship), land, language, love, trauma, and matriarchy. Her poems explore both personal and communal struggles and triumphs, emphasizing the resilience of Indigenous communities in the face of adversity.
Her poetry has been featured in various prestigious outlets, including Yellow Medicine Review, POETRY Magazine, Room Magazine, and Poets & Writers Magazine. She has also contributed to The Navajo Times, offering both creative and journalistic insights into the state of Diné affairs and cultural preservation.
Abalone Mountain Press
Amber McCrary is also the founder of Abalone Mountain Press, an independent publishing house dedicated to uplifting Indigenous voices. The press reflects her ongoing commitment to community building and her desire to provide a platform for underrepresented writers and artists. Through Abalone Mountain Press, McCrary has helped foster a growing movement of Indigenous writers and thinkers who challenge dominant narratives and work to reshape the literary landscape.
Themes and Style
In all her work, McCrary engages deeply with themes of identity, loss, trauma, survival, and empowerment. She explores the tensions between traditional Diné values and contemporary life, as well as the impact of colonialism and patriarchy on Indigenous communities. Her poetry and zines often incorporate Diné language and cultural references, reflecting her commitment to cultural preservation and revitalization.
McCrary’s voice is bold, unapologetic, and full of energy. Whether in her poems or her zines, her style is direct, sharp, and often laced with humor, even as she tackles difficult subjects like violence, substance abuse, and systemic oppression.
Awards and Recognition
Amber McCrary has received several awards for her work, reflecting her growing influence in the literary and activist worlds. Some of her recent accolades include:
- 2021 Swarthout Award in Writing
- 2021 Center for Imagination in the Borderlands Creative Research Fellowship
- 2020 Mabelle A. Lyon Poetry Award
These honors underscore McCrary’s impact as a writer and her continued contributions to the field of Indigenous literature.
Conclusion
Amber McCrary is a dynamic force in the literary world, bringing together poetry, art, and activism in a way that amplifies Indigenous voices and addresses pressing cultural issues. Through her zines, poetry, and publishing efforts, she has carved out a unique space where Indigenous identity, intersectional feminism, and cultural resistance intersect.
With her chapbook Electric Deserts! and her growing body of work, McCrary continues to inspire new generations of writers and activists, particularly within Native communities. Her dedication to storytelling and cultural preservation ensures that her voice—and the voices of other Indigenous writers—will continue to resonate far beyond the borders of the Southwest.
For more information on Amber McCrary’s work, visit Abalone Mountain Press or explore her latest poems in POETRY Magazine and Yellow Medicine Review.
