Minneapolis has crowned its first-ever Poet Laureate, and her name is Heid E. Erdrich. A fixture on the local literary scene, Erdrich is ready to take her poetry to a wider stage, tasked with bringing the power of the written word to the city's various communities. With a stack of accolades under her belt, including winning the National Poetry Series for her collection "Little Big Bully," Erdrich is set to inspire as a cultural ambassador of verse in the City of Lakes.

Mayor Jacob Frey couldn't help but quickly praise the appointment, saying, "Minneapolis is a city of arts and creativity—and our new Poet Laureate will help inspire our community through the power of words." As reported by the City of Minneapolis' official website, Erdrich, an Ojibwe enrolled at Turtle Mountain, intends to genuinely embody the role, including Indigenous poets in all she does. Erdrich expressed her eagerness to get started, "It is a great honor to serve as the inaugural Poet Laureate."

With the support of Minneapolis' Arts & Cultural Affairs Department and The Loft Literary Center, Erdrich's fresh vision for poetry appears set to create new platforms for literary engagement. Arleta Little from The Loft Literary Center lauded Erdrich as a "people's poet," suggesting her deep community roots will considerably contribute to the city's diverse cultural tapestry. Erdrich will get to showcase her talent at the first City Council meeting on January 8th, with a specially written poem.

Minneapolis Council member Andrea Jenkins also cheered the historic creation of the Poet Laureate role, as it recognizes the wealth of poetic talent fostered by the city and institutions like The Loft Literary Center. In a nod to the importance of celebrating such achievements, a public celebration is to be held on January 18th at The Loft Literary Center, according to the same news release. Erdrich's achievements include stints as a guest writer at numerous institutions and she has recently been teaching Native American Literature at Dartmouth College.

This literary luminary doesn't only write but also serves as a fierce advocate for Native American art and literature. Alongside her written works, Erdrich has curated significant art exhibits and is curating for Amherst College's Mead Art Museum through 2024. Her influence can be felt across mediums, from national galleries to dynamic public art collaborations. Erdrich is also charged with reviewing books, chairing award panels, and shaping the future of Native American literature as the 2023 chair of the National Book Awards Poetry Panel. With her multifaceted contributions to the arts community, Erdrich shines as a beacon of what it means to be a Poet Laureate in Minneapolis.