Albuquerque, NM – On April 17-18, 2025, in recognition of National Poetry Month 2025, NTU’s BFA Creative Writing Program and the Navajo Nation Poet Laureate Committee celebrated the literary arts, which include poetry, fiction, nonfiction, and scriptwriting; the multifaceted artists and scholars among us; and our community elders and storytellers at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.
This year’s third annual symposium announces the new Navajo Nation Poet Laureate. Congratulations to Matthew Jake Skeets, the newly designated Navajo Nation Poet Laureate (2025-2027). Inaugural Laureate Luci Tapahonso, current Laureate Dr. Laura Tohe, and NTU Arts & Humanities faculty committee gathered to present Matthew Jake Skeet with an NTU robe and plaque, recognizing his achievement and emphasizing the importance of creative writing and oral storytelling in everyday life, offering endless opportunities for personal growth, expression, and connection within the community.
Jake Skeets holds an MFA in poetry from the Institute of American Indian Arts. He is the author of Eyes Bottle Dark with a Mouthful of Flowers and the National Poetry Series winner, Kate Tufts Discovery Award, American Book Award, and Whiting Award. He is from the Navajo Nation and teaches at the University of Oklahoma. Additional information about Jake Skeets can be found at www.jakeskeets.com.
Dr. Elmer Guy delivered the opening remarks on the Symposium’s second day. He expressed gratitude for being invited to speak at the third annual event. He reflected on his personal history with the university, including when he first became president of Crownpoint Institute of Technology (CIT). He emphasized the significance of events like this, highlighting their social and economic impact and vital role in strengthening the university’s mission and outreach. Dr. Casmir Agbaraji, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, and Dr. Colleen Bowman, Provost, also provided remarks at the event.
The symposium is bilingual, featuring guest speakers who presented in both English and Diné, along with other Native languages. Local and regional writers and emerging singer-songwriters, including Tanaya Winder from the Southern Ute, Pyramid Lake Paiute, Diné, and Duckwater Shoshone nations, showcase the powerful and healing nature of narratives, particularly within the context of Indigenous cultures and healing practices.
Storytellers and artists such as songwriter and musician Hataałii, writer and director Billy Luther, renowned poet Hershman John, singer and performer Talibah Begay, and costume designer Asa Benally each presented on their work, sharing personal stories and creative methods that have shaped their artistic journeys. Through their experiences, they offered practical techniques and insights into overcoming challenges in the creative process. By organizing this symposium, Navajo Technical University affirmed its commitment to academic excellence and ongoing support for developing emerging voices in the literary and creative arts.
NTU BFA students shared poems and short stories with guest speakers and high school students from To’Hajiilee Community School and the Cuba Independent School District. Tamara June Yazzie, an NTU student enrolled in the Early Childhood Multicultural Education program, was passionate about sharing her grandmother’s stories and inspiring new perspectives for young readers and writers during her presentation.
Stories serve as medicine, offering solace, guidance, and a sense of belonging. Language arts educators, literature instructors, and teachers of Navajo language and culture presented and attended the event. Joe Kee, an Associate Professor at the UNM campus in Gallup, NM, emphasized Diné philosophy in his presentation “Hodílzingo Oodááł —Walking in Reverence,” which encourages living in harmony with the natural world and respecting all forms of life. The presenters’ valuable topics engage students and strengthen communities.
The 2025 Shił Nahólne’: Literary Arts and Oral Stories Symposium, hosted by the BFA Creative Writing program, the Navajo Nation Poet Laureate Committee, and the School of Arts & Humanities at NTU, was an exciting and inspiring event, showcasing the talent and creativity of artists, writers, and performers. Navajo Technical University is happy to have hosted such an epic gathering, and we look forward to welcoming even more artists and attendees next year. We are eager to continue fostering creativity and cultural exchange in the future. See you at the 2026 symposium!
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For more information, contact:
Delila Nakaidenae
P: 505.387.7359
E: dnakaidinae@navajotech.edu
Dr. Jennifer Wheeler
Associate Professor of English/Creative Writing
E: jwheeler@navajotech.edu
Anita Roastingear
Associate Professor, English/Creative Writing
E: aroastingear@navajotech.edu
Gene Hult
Assistant Professor, English/Creative Writing
ehult@navajotech.edu
Navajo Technical University continues to honor Diné culture and language while educating people for the future.
Dale Morgan, Communications Specialist
E: dmorgan@navajotech.edu
