Gwen Westerman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gwen Westerman
PhD
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| Occupation | poet, educator, and artist |
| Language | Dakota, English |
| Nationality | Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, Cherokee Nation, American |
| Alma mater | Oklahoma State University, BA and MA; University of Kansas, PhD |
| Genre | poetry |
Gwen Nell Westerman is a talented Native American educator, writer, and artist. She is known for her beautiful poetry and her amazing quilt art.
Gwen Westerman is a professor at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She also leads the Native American Literature Symposium. In September 2021, the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, chose her to be the Poet Laureate of Minnesota. This means she is the official poet for the state!
Contents
Who is Gwen Westerman?
Her Family Background
Gwen Westerman is from two important Native American groups. She is Dakota and Cherokee. She is an official member of both the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation and the Cherokee Nation. Being an "enrolled citizen" means she is officially recognized by these nations.
Gwen also speaks the Dakota language. Her mother was Cherokee, and Gwen grew up in the state of Kansas.
Her Journey in Education
Gwen Westerman studied English in college. She earned her first two degrees, a bachelor's and a master's, from Oklahoma State University. Later, she continued her studies at the University of Kansas. There, she earned her doctoral degree in English. A doctoral degree is the highest degree you can get in a field of study.
Teaching and Helping Others Learn
Today, Gwen Westerman is a professor of English at Minnesota State University, Mankato. She also directs the humanities program there. In this role, she helps students learn about different cultures, history, and art.
Gwen Westerman's Art and Poetry
Her Amazing Fiber Art
Gwen Westerman is a special kind of artist called a fiber artist. This means she creates art using fibers, like fabric or yarn. She is especially good at making quilts. Quilts are blankets or wall hangings made by sewing together many pieces of fabric. Her quilts often tell stories or show her heritage.
Awards and Recognition
Gwen Westerman has received many awards for her writing and her work. These awards show how much her work is valued.
- 1999: Native American Inroads from The Loft in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She had two mentors, Diane Glancy and Mona Susan Power.
- 2004: A special fellowship from the Smithsonian Institution. She researched traditional Dakota beadwork.
- 2012: The Douglas R. Moore Research Award Fellow.
- 2012: Presidential Teaching Scholar.
- 2013: Minnesota Book Award in the Minnesota Category.
- 2013: Leadership in History Award from the American Association for State and Local History.
- 2014: Hognander Minnesota History Award.
- 2014: Distinguished Faculty Scholar.
- 2015: Native American Artist in Residence at the Minnesota Historical Society.
