Joy Harjo

Muscogee (Creek) · authors

Joy Harjo is a Muscogee (Creek) poet who served as the 23rd United States Poet Laureate — the first Native American to hold the position. She served three terms (2019-2022).

Her poetry weaves Indigenous mythology with personal narrative and social justice. As Poet Laureate, she created "Living Nations, Living Words," a project featuring contemporary Native American poetry. She is also an accomplished saxophonist.