Georgia Humanities Welcomes Former U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo for “Ocmulgee Rising” Event in Macon
Free public program to be held April 24, 2025, as part of Being Human Festival (US)
ATLANTA (March 28, 2025)— Georgia Humanities proudly presents “Ocmulgee Rising: A Celebration of Muscogee Creativity with Joy Harjo” on April 24, 2025, in Macon, Georgia. This special event celebrates the history, artistry, and enduring legacy of the Muscogee (Creek) people in Georgia through the voice of one of the nation’s most celebrated writers—internationally renowned poet, musician, and the first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo.
Harjo, the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate and a member of the Muscogee Nation, is the author of ten books of poetry, several plays, three children’s books, two memoirs, and seven music albums. Her honors include Yale’s 2023 Bollingen Prize for American Poetry, the National Book Critics Circle Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, the Ruth Lily Prize from the Poetry Foundation, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Tulsa Artist Fellowship. She is a chancellor of the Academy of American Poets and chair of the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation and is the inaugural artist-in-residence for the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she lives.
On April 24, Harjo will appear at Middle Georgia State University for a poetry reading and conversation, exploring themes of identity, ancestry, and the deep connections between the Muscogee people and the lands of present-day Georgia.
Following the reading, a small group of invited guests will accompany Harjo on a guided tour of the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, where she will be joined by Dr. Matthew Jennings, history professor at Middle Georgia State University. Together, they will reflect on the ideas of return, remembrance, and resilience—offering stories and perspectives rooted in place and people.
The event comes as bipartisan legislation was recently reintroduced in Congress to designate Ocmulgee Mounds as Georgia’s first and only national park.
“Joy Harjo’s voice is a vital bridge between past and present, reminding us that history is not just something we remember—it is something we live,” said Mary Wearn, president of Georgia Humanities. “Ocmulgee Rising is a powerful opportunity to honor the deep cultural connections between the Muscogee people and Georgia.”
“Ocmulgee Rising” is presented in partnership with Middle Georgia State University, the Ocmulgee Mounds Association, the Georgia Council for the Arts, and the National Humanities Center as part of the Being Human Festival (US). First launched in the United Kingdom, this nationwide festival features a series of community-driven events celebrating the role of the humanities in everyday life. This year’s festival will take place across 16 sites in 12 different states between April 12 and 28, 2025, exploring the theme of landmarks—the places and events that shape who we are and how we live.
This event is free and open to the public. RSVP is strongly encouraged.
EVENT DETAILS FOR “OCMULGEE RISING”
Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Location: Middle Georgia State University – Macon Campus (Volleyball Gym, 5098 Romeiser Dr., Macon, GA 31206)
RSVP: ocmulgeerising.eventbrite.com
About Georgia Humanities
Georgia Humanities connects people and communities to encourage understanding and inspire hope. Through grantmaking and public programs, we engage people of all ages and backgrounds to explore what shapes us as individuals and binds us together as Georgians. Funding for Georgia Humanities is provided by the Georgia General Assembly, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and various foundations, donors, and partners.
About Middle Georgia State University
Middle Georgia State University (MGA) is a leading public university in Georgia, committed to offering high-quality educational opportunities and fostering an engaged and welcoming community. The best value state university in the University System of Georgia, MGA serves 8,000+ students on campuses in Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins – and online. Learn more at mga.edu
About the Ocmulgee Mounds Association
Ocmulgee Mounds Association Inc. is the official non-profit partner of Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, providing support for their educational programs, events, and exhibits. For more information, please visit ocmulgeemounds.org.
About the Georgia Council for the Arts
Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) empowers the arts industry in Georgia and artists around the state to cultivate healthy, vibrant communities that are rich in civic participation, cultural experiences, and economic prosperity. As part of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia Council for the Arts provides grant funding, programs, and services statewide that support this vital industry, preserve our cultural heritage, and create increased access to meaningful arts experiences. Visit gaarts.org for more information.
About the National Humanities Center
The National Humanities Center is the world’s only independent institute dedicated exclusively to advanced study in all areas of the humanities. Through its residential fellowship program, the Center provides scholars with the resources necessary to generate new knowledge and to further understanding of all forms of cultural expression, social interaction, and human thought. Through its education programs, the Center strengthens teaching on the collegiate and pre-collegiate levels. Through public engagement intimately linked to its scholarly and educational programs, the Center promotes understanding of the humanities and advocates for their foundational role in a democratic society. Learn more at nationalhumanitiescenter.org.
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