MSU Poets Roundtable Highlights Indigenous Voices

The two-day gathering featured poetry readings and workshops focused on Indigenous themes at the MSU Kellogg Center.

Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Native American

Bold vector editorial illustration depicting a traditional drum, wild rice, and feathers on a wooden table, representing Indigenous cultural heritage. — The MSU Poets Roundtable concluded a two-day event in East Lansing featuring Indigenous poets Gordon Henry Jr. and Mark Turcotte. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The MSU Poets Roundtable hosted a two-day event centered on Indigenous poetry and creative expression. The sessions aimed to amplify Indigenous voices while fostering education about land and community relationships.

Why it matters

The gathering served to challenge prevailing stereotypes through literature. Organizers focused on building deeper connections between attendees and their natural surroundings.

The event spanned 2 days of workshops and readings hosted at the MSU Kellogg Center. Programming included sessions led by established poets and creative writing exercises conducted near the Red Cedar River.

The players

Gordon Henry Jr.

He is a poet who performed a reading during the two-day event.

Mark Turcotte

He is a poet who joined Gordon Henry Jr. for the Friday evening poetry performance.

Nichole Keway Biber

She led the Zaagichigaade Nibi workshop during the event at the Kellogg Center.

The details

Poets Gordon Henry Jr. and Mark Turcotte held readings, while Nichole Keway Biber led a workshop entitled Zaagichigaade Nibi. Participants utilized inspiration from Anishinaabe dream songs during their writing sessions.

October 23, 2026: Friday evening poetry reading by Henry and Turcotte
October 24, 2026: Saturday poetry workshops for attendees

Culture Shift

This gathering reflects a broader societal movement toward integrating Indigenous perspectives into academic and community spaces. It follows the mission of the Native American Institute at MSU to support programming that centers Indigenous culture and historical awareness.

Residents and students in East Lansing can participate in similar future workshops to develop their creative writing skills using local landscapes as inspiration. These events provide attendees with direct access to regional poets and cultural leaders.

The takeaway

Engaging with local natural environments can enhance creative writing processes and deepen personal connections to the land. Poetry serves as a powerful tool for community education and the dismantling of harmful stereotypes.