By Jeanette DeDios
Kinsale Drake started teaching writing and literary workshops to children when she was seventeen.
She’d help with anything, from teaching poetry to editing portfolios and submissions students sent to fellowships or literary journals.
(Foto: Courtesy Laura Ten Fingers)
Drake’s newest endeavor, The NDN Girls Book Club, is not just a bookclub and it’s not just for Native American girls.
The Diné writer and winner of the J. Edgar Meeker Prize and the Academy of American Poets Prize, said her initiative is designed to grow literacy for Native Americans while promoting and boosting Indigenous authors and publishers.
“We’re definitely underrepresented and excluded in publishing spaces,” Drake said, “I don’t think there’s any lack of amazing Native authors that exist, it’s just hard to feel like your voice matters.”
The book club, which officially launched this month, but has already hosted events, aims to support Native literature at all levels whether that’s through publishing, Indigenous booksellers, writers, or readers.
Drake wants to provide literary and writing workshops, host author talks both in-person and online and work with publishing companies to provide free books to Native youth.
In New Mexico alone, only 20% of all Native American students in grades 3–8 are proficient in reading according to the 2021-2022 Tribal Education Status Report.
Drake said there’s been a rise in Native literature and it has been at the forefront of many cultural, political, and social movements. She hopes showcasing these authors will boost interest for Native youth to pick up a book.
“Over the years, we saw the first wave of the Native renaissance and literature hand in hand with the American Indian Movement and critical race studies.”
Authors tell their stories
She said this moment is a chance for Native writers to take control of their narrative artistically.
“It’s a way for Native peoples to understand, analyze and position themselves in the greater world and what’s happening. It’s a way to historically orient yourselves, and provide context.”
The book club has expanded to hosting free author talks both virtual and in-person.
Native authors like Darcie Little Badger (Lipan Apache), Danielle Geller (Diné), and Carole Lindstrom (Anishinabe/Metis and Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe) have all participated in events for their readers to talk about their books and writings.
Sareya Taylor (White Mountain Apache and Diné) is one of the writers contacted by Drake and the NDN Girls Book Club. They are in their third year at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) where they are studying creative writing with a focus in poetry.
Taylor was the Inaugural Youth Poet Laureate in Phoenix, where they first met Drake. From there, the book club collaborated with Taylor to host readings.
Taylor writes about a range of things; from matcha lattes to her grandmas. They’re grateful to be mentioned in Drake’s article with Teen Vogue where she discussed the importance of including Native writers.
Jeanette DeDios is from the Jicarilla Apache and Diné Nations and grew up in Albuquerque, NM. This article is republished from Source New Mexico under a Creative Commons license.
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