Layli Long Soldier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Layli Long Soldier
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| Nationality | Oglala Lakota |
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| Years active | 2010–present |
| Notable awards |
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Layli Long Soldier is a famous poet, writer, and artist from the Oglala Lakota nation. She is known for her powerful writing that explores her Native American heritage and history.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
Layli Long Soldier grew up in the Four Corners area of the American Southwest. Today, she continues to live there and works to support Indigenous communities.
For her education, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the Institute of American Indian Arts. Later, she received a Master's degree from Bard College.
Writing and Art Career
Long Soldier began her career by publishing a small book of poems called a chapbook in 2010. In 2013, she was part of an art show called Pte Oyate at the Red Cloud Indian School. She has also worked as an editor for different literary magazines.
The Book Whereas
In 2017, Long Soldier published her first full collection of poetry, titled Whereas. This book became very well-known and won several awards.
The book is a response to an apology made by the U.S. government in 2009. This apology was for the history of harmful actions and policies against Native American people. Long Soldier studied the language of the official apology. She thought about what makes an apology truly sincere. Her poems explore the history of violence and the attempts to erase the culture of Native tribes in the United States.
The Poem "38"
One of the most famous poems in Whereas is called "38." It tells the true story of 38 Dakota men who were executed on December 26, 1862. This happened after a conflict known as the Dakota War of 1862. The execution was approved by President Abraham Lincoln.
In her poem, Long Soldier points out that this happened during the same week that President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, a famous order to free enslaved people. This poem was featured in the documentary film Lakota Nation vs. United States.
Whereas also includes poems about Long Soldier's personal life, such as her experiences with being a mother.
Awards and Recognition
Layli Long Soldier has received many awards for her writing.
- 2015 Lannan Literary Fellowship
- 2016 National Artist Fellowship from the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
- 2016 Whiting Award
- 2017 National Book Award for Poetry, finalist for Whereas
- 2017 National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry, winner for Whereas
- 2018 Griffin Poetry Prize, finalist for Whereas
- 2018 PEN/Jean Stein Book Award, winner for Whereas
- 2021 Michael Murphy Memorial Poetry Prize for Whereas
Works
- Chromosomory (2010)
- Whereas (2017)
See also
In Spanish: Layli Long Soldier para niños
