Joy Harjo

Joy Harjo is an internationally renowned poet, performer, and writer of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation, best known for her evocative poetry and musical artistry. She served three terms as the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States, becoming the first Native American to hold the position. Harjo is the author of ten books of poetry, including the acclaimed collections "How We Became Human: New and Selected Poems" and "She Had Some Horses." Her work has earned prestigious accolades such as the Ruth Lily Prize from the Poetry Foundation and the Academy of American Poets Wallace Stevens Award.

Harjo's creative pursuits extend beyond poetry, encompassing music, memoir, and theatrical performance. She has released seven award-winning music albums, including projects that blend storytelling with jazz and indigenous influences. Her one-woman show, "Wings of Night Sky, Wings of Morning Light," explores themes of identity and resilience. As a memoirist, she penned "Crazy Brave," a deeply personal account of her journey as an artist and Muscogee woman. Harjo's writing often reflects her heritage, weaving together history, spirituality, and contemporary Indigenous experiences.

A dedicated advocate for Native arts, Harjo serves as Board of Directors Chair of the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation and is a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including a Guggenheim Fellowship and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the Americas. Based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, she continues to create and perform while serving as the inaugural Artist-in-Residence for the Bob Dylan Center.