Denise Sweet facts for kids

Denise Sweet is an amazing Anishinaabe poet. She is known for her beautiful words. From 2004 to 2008, she was the official Poet Laureate of Wisconsin. This means she was chosen as the state's top poet.

About Denise Sweet

Denise Sweet grew up in the state of Minnesota. She is a member of the White Earth Band of the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. This is a group of Native American people.

Her Career

Denise Sweet studied at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. After her studies, she became a teacher. She taught at the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay.

Teaching and Travel

Sweet taught different subjects there. These included creative writing, which is about writing stories and poems. She also taught literature, which is the study of books. And she taught mythology, which is about ancient stories and legends.

She also led a special travel class. This class went to the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and to Guatemala. While there, she learned about the Maya peoples. She studied their culture and traditions.

Awards and Honors

Denise Sweet has won many awards for her poetry. These awards show how talented she is.

Special Recognitions

Some of her awards include:

• The Diane Decorah Award
• The Posner Award
• The Woman of the Year Award from the Wisconsin Women's Council
• The Native Writers' Circle of the Americas First Book Award for Poetry

In 2004, she received a very special honor. She became the Poet Laureate of Wisconsin. She held this important role until 2008.

Books by Denise Sweet

Denise Sweet has written several books of poetry. Here are some of them:

• Palominos Near Tuba City: New & Selected Poems, Holy Cow! Press, April, 2018
• Songs for Discharming, Greenfield Review Press
• Days of Obsidian, Days of Grace, Poetry Harbor Press
• Know By Heart, Rhiannon Press

Her Work in Anthologies

Her poems and stories have also appeared in other books. These books are called anthologies. They collect writings from many different authors.

• Nitaawichige: Selected Poetry and Prose by Four Anishinaabe Writers, Poetry Harbor
• Stories Migrating Home: Anishnaabe Prose, Loonfeather Press
• Reinventing the Enemy's Language: Contemporary Native Women's Writing of North America, W.W. Norton
• Returning the Gift: Poetry and Prose from the First North American Native Writers' Festival, University of Arizona Press
• Women Brave in the Face of Danger, Crossing Press