HAYES CHOSEN AS 2016-2018 WRITER LAUREATE
BY MARY CATHARINE MARTIN
Capital City Weekly
Juneau writer and University of Alaska Southeast assistant professor of English Ernestine Hayes, author of Alaska Native memoirs “Blonde Indian” and “The Tao of Raven,” has been selected by the Alaska Humanities Forum and the Alaska State Council on the Arts as the 2016-2018 Alaska State Writer Laureate.
“Blonde Indian: An Alaska Native Memoir” recounts Hayes’ life as a Tlingit child of the Kaagwaantaan growing up in Southeast Alaska, her years in California and her return home. It blends memoir, fiction, and traditional stories. She published “Blonde Indian” in 2006, and it received many awards, including an American Book Award and an Honoring Alaska Indigenous Literature award. Current Alaska State Writer Laureate Frank Soos chose the book as the first “Alaska Reads” book in 2016.
Her second book is “The Tao of Raven: An Alaska Native Memoir,” released just this fall. In “The Tao of Raven,” Hayes further develops some of the themes of “Blonde Indian,” finds lessons for human life in the lives of other beings, and explores ways for all people to move forward in a post-colonial world. For an article about that book, see http://bit.ly/2i6ZiPY. Hayes has also published essays, poems, articles, children’s books and creative nonfiction, and has published in literary and scholarly journals.
Reached by phone Dec. 22, the day of the announcement, Hayes said it is “humbling” for her name to be listed with previous Alaska State Writer Laureates.
“I’m just very grateful, and thank all the people who supported me, and promise to do my best,” she said.
In a press release, Soos praised Hayes, saying “I can only say I am glad I don’t have to follow her as State Writer Laureate. She is an excellent choice. Ernestine Hayes brings passion and intellect to everything she says and writes.”
Also in the release, ASCA Chairman Benjamin Brown said, “We are very excited to have Ernestine accede to the position of State Writer Laureate, given her tremendous literary talents and enthusiasm for encouraging all Alaskans to read, write, and enjoy the wonders of the literary arts.”
The Alaska State Laureate program began focused on poetry in the 1960s. In 1996, other kinds of writing became eligible for the award as well. According to the ASCA, it “is an honorary two-year appointment recognizing an Alaskan Writer who has demonstrated exemplary professionalism, literary excellence, and a commitment to the advancement of literary arts in Alaskan Communities.”
State writers laureate undertake a particular project; Hayes said she’s currently exploring ideas for hers. She will be formally given the title at the Governor’s Awards for the Arts and Humanities Jan. 26.
