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Joy Harjo, the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate and member of the Muscogee Nation, is more than just an accomplished artist—she's a cultural beacon of Native American storytelling.

With ten books of poetry, several plays, children's books, two memoirs, and seven music albums, Harjo has consistently pushed the boundaries of artistic expression.

In an intimate episode of Native Bidaské, Harjo opens her heart about loss, love, and the transformative power of storytelling. Her latest book, "Washing My Mother's Body," is more than a book—it's a ceremony of grief that transcends time and healing.

Honored with prestigious awards, including Yale's 2023 Bollingen Prize for American Poetry and the National Book Critics Circle Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, Harjo continues to inspire through her art. As the first Native American US Poet Laureate, she shares profound insights into Native resilience, the importance of preserving cultural narratives, and finding hope through younger generations.

Her raw, honest reflections on motherhood, art, and survival offer a powerful testament to Native strength, reminding us that "a poem is singing poetry, singing on paper."

Friday, April 25th, 2025
12:00 pm ET / 11:00 am CT / 10:00 am MT / 9:00 am PT

🔴 Watch the full Native Bidaské episode on Facebook and YouTube.

 

Help us tell the stories that could save Native languages and food traditions

At a critical moment for Indian Country, Native News Online is embarking on our most ambitious reporting project yet: "Cultivating Culture," a three-year investigation into two forces shaping Native community survival—food sovereignty and language revitalization.

The devastating impact of COVID-19 accelerated the loss of Native elders and with them, irreplaceable cultural knowledge. Yet across tribal communities, innovative leaders are fighting back, reclaiming traditional food systems and breathing new life into Native languages. These aren't just cultural preservation efforts—they're powerful pathways to community health, healing, and resilience.

Our dedicated reporting team will spend three years documenting these stories through on-the-ground reporting in 18 tribal communities, producing over 200 in-depth stories, 18 podcast episodes, and multimedia content that amplifies Indigenous voices. We'll show policymakers, funders, and allies how cultural restoration directly impacts physical and mental wellness while celebrating successful models of sovereignty and self-determination.

This isn't corporate media parachuting into Indian Country for a quick story. This is sustained, relationship-based journalism by Native reporters who understand these communities. It's "Warrior Journalism"—fearless reporting that serves the 5.5 million readers who depend on us for news that mainstream media often ignores.

We need your help right now. While we've secured partial funding, we're still $450,000 short of our three-year budget. Our immediate goal is $25,000 this month to keep this critical work moving forward—funding reporter salaries, travel to remote communities, photography, and the deep reporting these stories deserve.

Every dollar directly supports Indigenous journalists telling Indigenous stories. Whether it's $5 or $50, your contribution ensures these vital narratives of resilience, innovation, and hope don't disappear into silence.

Levi headshotThe stakes couldn't be higher. Native languages are being lost at an alarming rate. Food insecurity plagues many tribal communities. But solutions are emerging, and these stories need to be told.

Support independent Native journalism. Fund the stories that matter.

Levi Rickert (Potawatomi), Editor & Publisher