Reviews

New Poets of Native Nations by Heid E. Erdrich

robotswithpersonality's review against another edition

Great showcase of a broad range of talent. 
Delves into heavy topics you'd expect, all the ways colonialism has stripped indigenous people of their land and culture, and traumatized them in the process. There is also beauty and strength and moments in individual lives. 
Primarily US-based contributors, I would love to find a similar volume containing poetry from First Nations poets located in territory now known as Canada. 

I've got to shout out the formatting: instead of cramming a bunch of bios or bibliographies in the back, each poet's section starts with a single paragraph alone on a page, indicating credentials and previous works.

Personal Favourites:
38 - Layli Long Soldier
Excerpt from Nature Poem - Tommy Pico 
Passive voice - Laura Da'
Dome Riddle - Natalie Diaz
I Tinituhon - Craig Santos Perez (the pleasure of working for it, sounding it out)
Heart Butte, Montana - M.L. Smoker
Abracadabra, an abcedarian - Karenne Wood

⚠️Self harm

kjboldon's review against another edition

5.0

This book's multiplicity of voices taught me so much. I am thankful for the privilege of reading this book. Savoring it a poem a day was a wonderful experience.

abigailbat's review against another edition

Wow. These poems are powerful and challenging and important. This is a great place to start with modern Native American poets - you'll discover plenty of amazing authors here.

kevinmccarrick's review against another edition

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

sam8834's review against another edition

4.0

This feels like an important anthology. Native poets aren't highlighted often and when they are, it's the more established ones who've been around forever. In giving a space specifically to Native poets who published a first book after 2000, this antho gives you a look at the diversity of work among Native poets and the directions their poetry is going in this century.

sweetrow's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

5.0

phenomenal selection of works. layli long soldier and leanne howe had some of my favorites, but every poet is worth your time. 

thebookworm777's review against another edition

5.0

I was originally drawn to this collection because I knew Layli Long Soldier's work was included and I have admired her poetry for several years now. I hoped that in reading this anthology I would be exposed to other poets of her caliber and I was not disappointed. There are too many great poets and poems to pick a favorite but some who really stood out to me include dg nanouk okpik, Karenne Wood, Natalie Diaz, Janet McAdams, and Eric Gansworth. Every poet included though is well worthy of further exploration. This collection is full of crisp, thought-provoking pieces which truly add to modern poetry. I feel privileged to have read the works that were selected for this book and look forward to reading more of these poets' work.

lwalla01's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring reflective slow-paced

5.0

rebnoel's review

Had to return to the library 

okayalej's review against another edition

5.0

A stunning, heartbreaking, joyful, and purposeful collection. I feel grateful to have learned much about the land I live on as well as lands much farther away
, and the people who have called those lands home long before the White man did. History and life is laid out. This book is everything.