U.S. Poet laureate inspires local work

United States Poet Laureate Joy Harjo will make a virtual visit to Carlton County next week, and local artists and writers have been preparing for her appearance.

Harjo is a writer and performer of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation serving her third term as the 23rd poet laureate of the United States. She is the author of nine books of poetry, including the highly acclaimed "An American Sunrise," several plays, children's books, and two memoirs, "Crazy Brave" and "Poet Warrior." Harjo's many honors include the Ruth Lilly Poetry Prize for lifetime achievement given by the Poetry Foundation, the Academy of American Poets' Wallace Stevens Award, two National Endowment for the Arts fellowships, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. As a musician and performer, Harjo has produced seven award-winning music albums including her newest, "I Pray for My Enemies."

There are two upcoming events related to the U.S. poet laureate.

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College is hosting a virtual event starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday to celebrate the release of "Bringing Joy: A Local Literary Welcome," an e-book anthology by local writers and artists inspired by Harjo's work. To join the free event, visit https://minnstate.zoom.us/j/4618587742.

Harjo's virtual visit, titled "Bringing Joy - Minanaawigwendamowin Biijigaadeg," for an evening of poetry and music is a week later, at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18. This is also online. To register, visit https://fdltcc.edu/bringing-joy.

Harjo's visit and the local e-book were made possible by the Minnesota Center for the Book, Library of Congress, Fond du Lac Reservation, Carlton County, Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College, American Indian Community Housing Organization (AICHO), Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community, Minnesota State Arts Board, Minnesota Humanities Center, Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, and Northland Foundation.

For more information, contact Darci Schummer at [email protected].