Indigenous Voices

Seeing where we are—in the present—a little clearer

Hi Poets. Me again. As today prompts us to reflect on history here in the U.S., I wanted to share some of the writers who have helped me see where we are in the present a little clearer.

You’re probably familiar with Joy Harjo’s work. I encourage you to seek out these less well-known indigenous voices if you don’t already know them. I enjoy each collection and poet not for what they “represent,” but because the poems are beautiful and moving. Period.

(With apologies for the regionality of this list. I’ve lived in the West most of my life, seeking out voices of this region. Readers from other regions, please leave your recommendations in the comments!)

When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through

A phenomenal collection published in 2020, edited by former Poet Laureate Joy Harjo.

Ears of Corn: Listen

Poems by potter and poet Max Early, Laguna Pueblo. From a young age, both of my children loved listening to these beautiful poems read aloud.

Patriarchy Blues

Poems by Rena Priest of the Lhaq'temish (Lummi) Nation. Priest is the Washington State Poet Laureate and a Maxine Cushing Gray Distinguished Writing Fellow.

Flood Song

Poems by Sherwin Bitsui that are “highly imagistic and constantly in motion, drawing as readily upon Diné (Navajo) myths, customs, and medicine songs as they do contemporary language and poetics.”

Of Cartography

Poet Esther Belin, Diné (Navajo), recently guest edited an issue of Poetry Magazine. She is also the editor of a new anthology, The Diné Reader.

Sáanii Dahataal/The Women Are Singing

Luci Tapahonso, Diné (Navajo), “shares memories of her home in Shiprock, New Mexico, and of the places and people there. Through these celebrations of birth, partings, and reunions, this gifted writer displays both her love of the Navajo world and her resonant use of language.”

I’d love to hear your recommendations. Please share in the comments!