Joy Harjo, the 23rd Poet Laureate of the United States, is a celebrated member of the Mvskoke Nation and identifies with the Oce Vpofv (Hickory Ground). Notably, she is only the second individual to receive a third term in this esteemed position. Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Harjo's artistic journey began at the Institute of American Indian Arts, a pioneering Bureau of Indian Affairs school, where she completed high school. Her passion for poetry ignited while she was involved with the Kiva Club, a Native student organization at the University of New Mexico, during a time of significant Native empowerment movements.
Harjo pursued her Master of Fine Arts at the prestigious Iowa Writers’ Workshop. Her academic career has included teaching English, Creative Writing, and American Indian Studies at several institutions, including the University of California-Los Angeles, the University of New Mexico, and the University of Arizona, among others. Throughout her career, she has not only made her mark in academia but has also captivated audiences through her music and poetry performances across the nation and internationally.
Her notable works include "An American Sunrise" and "The Woman Who Fell from the Sky," both of which highlight her deep connection to Native culture and heritage. Harjo's contributions to literature and advocacy for Indigenous voices have solidified her legacy in American poetry and beyond.
