2024 Mentoring Retreat

Twin Cities, MN

In this our third annual Mentoring Retreat, In-Na-Po emphasized #LanguageBack, building on our initiative to support Indigenous language revitalization through poetry.  We had three esteemed Indigenous faculty to lead our new and returning Fellows in workshops--Layli Long Soldier,  Gwen Westerman, and Gordon Henry. Additional prize-winning visiting writers included Marcie Rendon, Elise Paschen, and Linda Legarde Grover. As we met in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, we had taken time to visit tribal sites and host visits by several noted Native leaders including the world-renowned author Louise Erdrich. 

“These Indigenous-focused gatherings help build a strong community for emerging writers. Indigenous Nations Poets is delighted to see many of our Fellows now releasing books or finishing manuscripts. But equally as significant is the powerful way they put their writing to work--weaving Indigenous values into their poetry at a time when the world desperately needs these teachings.”

-Kimberly Blaeser, IN-NA-PO Founding Director

A cohort of 16 fellows, faculty, and guests participated in workshops, inter-art activities, and panel discussions at the Minnesota Humanities Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The 2024 Fellows consisted of writers from various locations across the U.S. They were selected from a highly competitive applicant pool. The poets represent diverse Indigenous Nations and bring a wide range of unique styles and interests. The 2024 cohort includes eight new fellows and eight returning fellows. The selected new fellows and their Indigenous and Native Nations are as follows: Bonney Hartley (Mohican), Chris Hoshnic (Diné), Sarah Milner (Odawa), Tyler Mitchell (Diné), Ruby Hansen Murray (Osage, Cherokee), Sunni Parisien (Chippewa), Sareya Taylor (Apache, Diné), Anangookwe Wolf (Anishinaabe, Assiniboine, Dakota).

Mission Statement

Founded in 2020, In-Na-Po—Indigenous Nations Poets—is a national Indigenous poetry community committed to mentoring emerging writers, nurturing the growth of Indigenous poetic practices, and raising the visibility of all Native Writers past, present, and future. In-Na-Po recognizes the role of poetry in sustaining tribal sovereign nations and Native languages.

Retreat News

Mary Ann Grossmann, Pioneer Press

“Native American words and music are on display this week, with two programs presented by Indigenous Nations Poets (IN-NA-PO) in partnership with Minnesota Humanities Center”

Ruby Hansen Murray, Osage News

“We shared poems that wove experiences with language onto the page and talked about language programs across the country.”

2024 Fellows

  • Bonney Hartley

    2024 Fellow

    Bio
  • Chris Hoshnic

    2024 Fellow

    Bio
  • Sarah-Joy Milner

    2024 Fellow

    Bio
  • Tyler Mitchell

    2024 Fellow

    Bio
  • Ruby Hansen Murray

    2024 Fellow

    Bio
  • Sunni Parisien

    2024 Fellow

    Bio
  • Sareya Taylor

    2024 Fellow

    Bio
  • Anangookwe Wolf

    2024 Fellow

    Bio

2024 Returning Fellows

  • Tacey Atsitty

    2022 Fellow

    Bio
  • Anthony Ceballos

    2022 Fellow

    Bio
  • Kinsale Drake

    2022 Fellow

    Bio
  • Emerald GoingSnake

    2023 Fellow

    Bio
  • Kale Kim

    2023 Fellow

    Bio
  • Manny Loley

    2022 Fellow

    Bio
  • Erin Marie Lynch

    2023 Fellow

    Bio
  • Melanie Merle

    2022 Fellow

    Bio

2024 Workshop Faculty

  • Gordon Henry Jr

    2024 Workshop Faculty

    Bio
  • Layli Long Soldier

    2024 Workshop Faculty

    Bio
  • Gwen Westerman

    2024 Workshop Faculty

    Bio

2024 Workshop Speakers

  • Gerald Vizenor

    Bio
  • Linda LeGarde Grover

    Bio
  • Marcie Rendon

    Bio

2024 Retreat Leaders/Support

  • Kimberly Blaeser

    Kimberly Blaeser

    Founding Director

    Bio
  • Heid E. Erdrich

    Acting Vice President

    Bio
  • Elise Paschen

    Board Member

    Bio
  • Annie Wenstrup

    Alumni and Donor Relations Coordinator

    Bio
  • Jodi Vander Molen

    Operations and Programming Manager

    Bio
  • Tj Turner

    Web Coordinator

    Bio

2024 Retreat Sponsors & Partners