In a move that underscores Arizona's commitment to the arts, Governor Katie Hobbs has appointed Dr. Laura Tohe as the new Arizona Poet Laureate. Announced on Tuesday, the role is designed to promote poetic arts across the state and inspire the next generation of literary creatives. Tohe, an esteemed writer and educator with deep roots in the Navajo nation, takes the reins to nurture the state's narrative and cultural expression.
"I’m thrilled to appoint Laura Tohe as Arizona Poet Laureate," Governor Hobbs declared in a recent statement, as per a press release. Dr. Tohe has not only distinguished herself in various literary forms, but her work also embodies the state's diverse heritage and aspirations. Her tenure, lasting two years, will include public readings, education efforts, and a significant literature-focused project, mapping the multitude of Arizonan voices.
The honor of Poet Laureate is a significant one, previously held by Alberto Álvaro Ríos from 2014 to 2018. Tohe is the second individual to be honored with this appointment since the inception of the title in the state. With multiple literary accolades under her belt — including the 2025 Native Writers' Circle of the Americas Lifetime Achievement Award and a three-time nomination for the Pushcart Prize — Tohe's broad acclaim is evident. Her extensive work spans poetry, opera libretti, and oral histories, like her notable 'Code Talker Stories', a tribute to the wartime contributions of the Navajo Code Talkers.
"I am deeply honored and grateful to be named Arizona State Poet Laureate,” Tohe said, signaling her commitment to elevating poetry's status in Arizona’s rural communities. The esteemed poet's background as the Poet Laureate for the Navajo Nation from 2015 to 2019, and her two decades-plus teaching at Arizona State University bear testament to her dedication in this realm. She regards poetry as a living art, one that delves into our shared experiences through language and introspection.
The Arizona Commission on the Arts played an instrumental role in the selection process of the new laureate. An open nominations policy allowed the public to propose candidates, which were then vetted by a five-member committee rooted in the state's literary circuit. Committee members noted Tohe's expansive engagement in communities throughout Arizona and her impact as previous Poet Laureate of the Navajo Nation, a tenure that undoubtedly enriched her perspective and bolstered her reputation in the literary landscape.
