Indigenous Open Mic Poetry Night

In partnership with the Indigenous Innovation Initiative, the Labriola National American Indian Data Center will kick off the semester with our biannual Indigenous Open Mic Poetry Night, led by Stacie Denetsosie (Diné). Stacie Denetsosie is a fiction writer and poet from Kayenta, Arizona, who currently resides in Northern Utah with her husband and cat. She received her Master of Fine Arts degree from the Institute of American Indian Arts and her Master of Arts degree from Utah State University. Her work has appeared in Yellow Medicine Review, Phoebe Magazine and Cut Bank, among other publications. She is a recipient of the UCROSS Native American Fellowship and the Prague Summer Program Poetry Fellowship. Torrey House Press released her debut short story collection, “The Missing Morningstar and Other Stories,” on Sept. 12, 2023. Her book “The Missing Morningstar and Other Stories” was named a 2024 Southwest Book of the Year, was a 2024 PEN/Robert W. Bingham Prize finalist, and a Gold Forward INDIES award winner.

Along with Stacie, four local featured poets, Chris Hoshnic (Diné), Tyler Mitchell (Diné), Zedan Xelef (Yazidi) and Su:k Chu:vak (Akimel O'Odham, Piipaash, Tlingit, Aleut and Pomo), will be reading original poetry. 

Between readers, volunteers are welcome to read either their own poetry or from our Open Stacks. We welcome alternative performances as well, such as music, rap and spoken word. Volunteers can sign up for reading at the Welcome Desk the night of the Open Mic.