Layli Long Soldier facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Layli Long Soldier
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| Occupation |
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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 an Oglala Lakota poet, writer, artist, and activist. She uses her words and art to speak out for Native people.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Layli Long Soldier grew up in the Southwest United States. She still lives and works there today. She is dedicated to helping Native communities.
She studied art at the Institute of American Indian Arts. She earned a Bachelor's degree there. Later, she got her Master's degree from Bard College.
Her Work as a Writer
In 2010, Layli Long Soldier published a small book of poems called Chromosomory. A chapbook is a short collection of poems.
In 2013, her art was shown in an exhibit called Pte Oyate. This exhibit was at the Red Cloud Indian School. She showed her work alongside other artists.
Layli Long Soldier also helps other writers. She is an editor for the journal Drunken Boat. She also edits poetry for Kore Press.
The Book Whereas
Her first full book of poems, Whereas, came out in 2017. This book looks closely at how language is used. It explores the challenges faced by Native tribes in the United States. The book talks about how their cultures have been affected.
Whereas was written as a response. It addresses the 2009 U.S. Congressional Apology to Native Peoples. This apology was for past actions by the U.S. government. These actions caused harm to Indigenous peoples. Layli Long Soldier studied apologies from other governments. She wanted to understand what a true apology means.
One long poem in the book is called "38." It tells the story of 38 Sioux warriors. They were executed in 1862. This happened after the 1862 Sioux Uprising. President Lincoln approved their execution. Long Soldier points out this happened the same week. It was when President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.
Whereas also shares personal stories. Layli Long Soldier writes about her relationship with her daughter. She also shares her thoughts on being a mother.
Awards and Recognition
Layli Long Soldier has received many awards for her writing:
- 2015 Lannan Literary Award
- 2016 National Artist Fellowship from the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation
- 2016 Whiting Award
- 2017 Finalist for the National Book Award for Poetry for Whereas
- 2017 Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Poetry for Whereas
- 2018 Winner of the PEN/Jean Stein Book Award for Whereas
- 2018 Shortlisted for the Griffin Poetry Prize for Whereas
Published Works
- Chromosomory, Lubbock, TX : Q Ave Press, 2010.
- Whereas, Minneapolis, Minnesota: Graywolf Press, 2017.
See also
In Spanish: Layli Long Soldier para niños
