Southern Paiute children’s book release, signing, and special presentation on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at Capitol Reef

Date: August 1, 2013
Contact: Lori Rome, 435-425-3791

Please join Capitol Reef National Park on Saturday, August 10, 2013 for special events to celebrate the release of a new children's book Why the Moon Paints Her Face Black. The book was created as a result of a partnership between the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, linguistics student Chloe Brent, Capitol Reef Natural History Association, Capitol Reef National Park and the National Park Service Colorado Ecosystems Study Unit (CESU). 

The Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah has a rich history and cultural ties to Capitol Reef National Park. Southern Paiute is not a written language. Linguistics student Chloe Brent works to document and preserve endangered languages and conceived a project to record a traditional Southern Paiute cosmological story in both English and Southern Paiute in cooperation with the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah. The CESU provided funding to Utah State University for a Chloe to complete her language translation project. Capitol Reef Natural History Association and Capitol Reef National Park funded the design and production of the children's book which is now available in bookstores throughout the region. The book includes an audio recording of the story and brings to life a language known and spoken by few. 

Events for Saturday, August 10, 2013 will include a book signing at the visitor center from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm and a special bilingual presentation of the book by Southern Paiute Indian Tribal Elder – Cedar Band - Eleanor Tom and linguistics student Chloe Brent at the amphitheater at 8:45 pm. 

Capitol Reef National Park preserves many cultural and natural resources. More information about the park can be found on the website at www.nps.gov, and at www.facebook.com/CapitolReefNPS, www.twitter.com/CapitolReefNPS and by phone at [phone].