Heid E. Erdrich, Minneapolis' First Poet Laureate

Article by Becky Fillinger, photo credit: City of Minneapolis

The City of Minneapolis recognized January 8, 2024 as Heid E. Erdrich Day to commemorate her selection as the City’s first poet laureate. It was an outstanding choice, as Erdrich is not only a nationally-recognized award-winning poet, but she is also an esteemed filmmaker, professor, community leader and mentor to many. We talked to her about the appointment and what it will mean to our city and her vision of bringing poetry to our everyday lives.

Heid E. ErdrichQ:  Congratulations on your selection as the first ever poet laureate for the City of Minneapolis. Why do you believe the role of poet laureate is important?

A:  Thank you! Minneapolis is a city of poetry and poets. Great poets live and work in Minneapolis, and many of the countries most esteemed poets are published through presses based here. Poetry here is also part of public art and so a literal part of the city.

Poetry is important to the city and deserves a representative.

Q:  Will you compose and read poems for special events during your tenure? If yes, what do you foresee?

A:  Yes - at least one poem. I just read for the opening of the new city council. (Check it out here: Minneapolis Poet Laureate Heid Erdrich reads from her poem, “This is the city dreaming in winter.” - YouTube) I drafted the first part of a poem in four seasons to the city of Minneapolis.

Above, Erdrich with Mayor Frey. Below, the official City of Minneapolis Proclamation.

Q:  You mentioned in a Star Tribune interview that your poetry will help parts of Minneapolis learn more about one another. I love this idea. How might this happen?

A:  My hope is to have several poetry listening sessions in which we gather phrases for a community-built poem based in deep listening. I would create a poem film from this work and partner with various organizations to install the film across Minneapolis.

Q:  Do you believe that poetry can play a role in the everyday lives of Minneapolis citizens? Oh, I hope you'll say yes! How may it be possible?

A: Yes! Poetry is already all around us in Minneapolis. There’s poetry on bridges, in parks, in public art - and schools! Many places of worship and businesses and organizations incorporate poetry into their work. Poetry is on the radio and being performed nightly here. But I am always looking for ways to bring more poetry to people.

Q:  How may we follow your news?

A:   Please follow my news on my website and my Facebook page.