Words have possessed the power to transform thoughts, ideals, and goals since time immemorial. Recently, community members and youth gathered, at the Warm Springs Community Action Team’s Wyam Youth Center, to experience that power firsthand during a visit from former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. The event highlighted Harjo’s poetry, music, and reflections on art and resilience.
Harjo, a member of the Muscogee Nation who resides on the Muscogee Nation Reservation in Tulsa, Oklahoma, is a celebrated poet, musician, painter, and speaker. She has produced eight award-winning music albums, written numerous inspiring poems, and published impactful memoirs. During her visit, she reflected on her unexpected path to poetry, which began around 1973 following the birth of her daughter. Harjo noted that her writing emerged from her involvement in Native rights movements and was fueled by hearing Native people speak about the land, their identity, and their heritage.
Addressing the younger audience directly, Harjo offered encouragement about the challenges faced by youth entering today’s world. She acknowledged how overwhelming life can feel, emphasizing that every individual’s story matters—especially the difficult parts, which shape self-knowledge. Harjo expressed immense hope for the upcoming generations, calling young children “the cleanup crew” who arrive with wisdom beyond their years to bring unique gifts that the world’s unfolding story needs…