Stay in the loop and register for email updates about events, competitions and all things poetry.
Stay in the loop and register for email updates about events, competitions and all things poetry.
Joy Harjo has become the first Native American to be appointed as US poet laureate.
The Oklahoma-born, Muscogee Creek Nation member’s appointment was announced on 19 June by the librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, who said that Hargo helped tell an “American story” of traditions both lost and continued, of “reckoning and myth-making”.
The poet, musician and author will serve as US poet laureate for one year, succeeding Tracy K Smith. The post is officially titled Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry, and comes with a $35,000 stipend.
Similar to the UK poet laureate, Harjo will have few official responsibilities but may launch initiatives during her post.