Joy Harjo, Muscogee (Creek) Nation

In 2019, Joy became the first Native American to be named United States Poet Laureate and only the second in history to serve three terms. Born May 9, 1951 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Harjo is considered a key figure in the native American Literary Renaissance. In addition to poetry, Harjo has taught in several universities in the United States and has released five albums of original music.