Vancouver Seeks Indigenous Poet Laureate

The following information is excerpted from a call issued by Vancouver Public Library.

Vancouver is looking for its next poet laureate, and nominations for this term are open to published or performance poets from the Musqueam, Squamish or Tsleil-Waututh Nations.

The poet laureate – ‘the people’s poet’ – is an honorary position with a flexible term of two to three years.

In line with the City of Vancouver’s role as a City of Reconciliation, this term will be focused on a mandate to raise Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh poetry’s visibility through the creation of a unique literary project and by representing the city as laureate during readings at civic functions, public poetry events and at an inaugural event at VPL’s poet’s corner at the central library.

Each laureate is free to pursue individual agendas in addition to the civic duties.

Eligible published or performance poets are from the Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Nations and who have been recognized for notable contributions to poetry and have received peer recognition for excellence.

Poets may nominate themselves or can be nominated by someone from the community. Community nominations must have been discussed with and approved by the poet prior to nomination.

Deadline & More Information

Deadline for submissions is December 15. Background information and nomination details are at vpl.ca/poetlaureate.