Joy Harjo is getting another term as U.S. Poet Laureate.
Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden has appointed Harjo, who in 2019 became the first Native American to serve in the post, to a second term.
“Joy Harjo is such an inspiring and engaging poet laureate,” Hayden said in a news release. “I’m thrilled she said yes to a second term to help the Library showcase Native poets from coast-to-coast. Her profound musical and literary talents are a gift to the nation.”
Harjo, an Oklahoma native and member of the Mvskoke (Creek) Nation, is a poet, children’s book author, and saxophonist. She’s known for her 2012 memoir, Crazy Brave, and poetry collections like A Map to the Next World and An American Sunrise.
As Poet Laureate, Harjo initiated a project called “Living Nations, Living Words: A Map of First Peoples Poetry,” which showcases the work of Native American poets in the U.S.
“It is an honor to serve a second term as poet laureate, especially during these times of earth transformation and cultural change,” Harjo said. “Poetry reminds us that we are connected beyond words, and to communicate through poetry has the potential to expand the conversation into wordless depths, to help us move collectively into fresh cultural vision. To get there in understanding, we begin with the roots. In this country, the roots are found in the poetry of the more than 500 living indigenous nations.”
Harjo will begin serving her second term in September.
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
