I am speechless. I submitted this manuscript at 22 after expanding it as my thesis project at Yale… my family, my heart, my songs, and my idols live in this collection. I’ve spent years researching, spending time with Buffy Sainte-Marie and Mildred Bailey and the songs of my parents and grandparents and siblings… MY FIRST BOOK!
what an honor to be able to publish a product of so much generational love and care that I wish I could express gratitude for each and every hour of my life. This is my monument to them, my book of little hymns, my morning and evening prayers.
This one’s for young NDN poets everywhere: we can do this.
THE SKY WAS ONCE A DARK BLANKET, winner of the 2023 National Poetry Series (@ugapress , 2024).
#nationalpoetryseries#theskywasonceadarkblanket
WE HIT 10,000 BOOKS!!!!! 💗✨🌈
This could not be possible without the generosity of so many sponsors, orgs, and all of you who have shown so much support for Yiłta! — just a little more than a week left until we embark upon our journey to the Navajo Nation. Swipe to see an update on where we’re at since announcing 🌟
“the workspace” & “the poet”
I had to make my own dedicated place for writing in my apartment because every writer told me i needed “business hours” to stay sane. A lot less writing frantically at 2am while watching the MR AND MRS SMITH reboot or New Girl on my couch. Make people respect those hours! And only let your cat interrupt the ~less important~ zoom calls. 💋🎀
I have always loved beauty and fashion, especially because Indigenous artisans have made those worlds so special for me. I keep sunscreen and @kiyani.botanics on my desk. I wear scents now, because i love girls that smell good and my mama was allergic to them when i was girl so it’s a new pleasure. I’m older and suddenly realize that dressing cute makes or breaks my day, as silly as that is. I gotta feel good to do my best <3 I keep colors and fabric out in my workspace to inspire me. I wear perfume for me.
at home with Ahsoka/Boo Boo 🐈⬛, Danny, @saiebeauty , and a dream on my own #itgtopshelfie cuz i love a good shelfie.
the poet ✈️🤍🫶
skincare has always been so soothing for me to practice… it’s always the first thing i do in the morning and the last thing at night. I love glowy bases that complement my skin tone well, and saie makes my actual favorite, so of course this little photo story showing my live & workspace was a joy to do cuz I got to be sparkly!
what do you think of my poet’s library…?✨
covagirl 💋 @saiebeauty
Axhéhee’💌 i feel most confident with a glow and a lipgloss in my bag! these days it’s lot of walks, staying moisturized, and working on the next project. 🕊️
instant skin confidenceeee & does this count as my #itgtopshelfie ? the poet that doesn’t ever short on skincare steps! 🤍🕊️
📸 @dannyrozenblit