Poet laureate Joy Harjo on 'Living Nations, Living Words'

“Living Nations, Living Words," by Poet Laureate Joy Harjo.
Poet Laureate Joy Harjo speaks with MPR host Kerri Miller about her new anthology, “Living Nations, Living Words.”
Matika Wilbur | Courtesy of W. W. Norton

Joy Harjo, the first Native American to serve as poet laureate of the U.S., is known for weaving heritage and history into her works of poetry.

Inspired by Native traditions and oral histories, her latest project, “Living Nations, Living Words,” highlights the work of contemporary Native poets from across the country, and collects their words and their voice into an interactive digital map that transcends physical space.

Harjo joined MPR News host Kerri Miller Friday to talk about the inspiration behind her latest project, the transformative power of language, and serving a third term as U.S. poet laureate.

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