Joy Harjo
1951– — United States (Muscogee Nation)
Era: Modern
Brilliance: 9/10 | Stewardship: 9/10 | Composite Index: 81
Poet Laureate weaving Native American voices into American literature
"We are not separate from each other or from the earth. We are all related."
Biography
Joy Harjo is the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate and a groundbreaking Muscogee writer whose lyrical, genreblending work centers Indigenous experience and spiritual resilience. Her poetry collection 'She Had Some Horses' became iconic, establishing her as a leading voice in Native American literature. Through her writing, music, and advocacy, Harjo has transformed how Indigenous narratives are heard and honored in mainstream American culture.
Key Facts
- Served as U.S. Poet Laureate from 2019-2022, the first Native American in the role
- Her 1983 collection 'She Had Some Horses' is considered a seminal work in Native American poetry
- Also an accomplished musician and saxophonist, incorporating music into her literary practice
- Won the Academy of American Poets Fellowship and numerous other prestigious literary awards
- Co-founded the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation to support Indigenous artists
First Native American Poet Laureate: redefining America's literary voice.
Total BrainCoins: 0
Cast BrainCoins for Joy Harjo