PANAMA CITY — All parts of the story are important, Joy Harjo said Thursday.
The Muskogee nation writer and performing artist shared the story of her life with students and campus guests at Gulf Coast State College, as part of National Women’s Month in March.
The contemporary American poet has obtained several accolades and has earned a place in the Norton Anthology of American Literature.
In monotone voice and without much facial expression, Harjo told listeners the story of human beings undivided by stereotypes and race.
“Indigenous people are still very much part of these lands and this history and story of America,” Harjo said.
Craftily moving between prose, poetry and excerpts from books she wrote, Harjo captivated the audience.
“I found her kind of weird, but her weirdness made her interesting,” said student Myeshia Yamini. “I always prefer to hear people who don’t base their success on religion, but basically base it on their spirituality and their beliefs.”
Long black bangs shadowed over her eyes in the lecture hall Thursday. Her skin appeared pale against the all-black relaxed fit ensemble she wore.
“What we need in this world is balance of power,” she said. “A balance of power is very important.”
She reminded everyone that Native Americans have influenced blues and jazz genres and the structure of American democracy was fashioned after the Iroquois nation structure of governance, to which the Muskogee nation also played a part.
Women heads of clans made up one house and men made up the other, she said. There was a balance.
Other “warrior women” Harjo named included the first female chief of the Cherokee nation Wilma Mankiller, artist Dana Tiger and Anna Mae Pictou-Aquash, who became an influential member of the American Indian Movement.
“I can’t tell you how thrilled I am that she came,” said GCSC counselor Cindy Boshelle. “I can sense by some of the statements students have told me that they feel very much enriched by her and they feel more aware of themselves and the importance of being who they are and knowing.”
Check back Friday for a video from the performance.