Georgia Humanities proudly presents “Ocmulgee Rising: A Celebration of Muscogee Creativity with Joy Harjo” onApril 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