ND SCR4002

Designates Dr. Denise K. Lajimodiere as Poet Laureate of North Dakota, succeeding Larry Woiwode who served until his death in April 2022.

Dr. Lajimodiere is an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe who was born in 1951 on the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation and holds a doctorate degree from the University of North Dakota.

Has published four poetry books ("Dragonfly Dance," "His Feathers Were Chains," "Bitter Tears," and "Thunderbird"), a children's book, and an academic book on American Indian boarding school history.

Her poetry has appeared in numerous publications and journals, and her poem "Tawkwaymenahnah" was adopted by Carnegie Learning's language arts textbook for grades 6-12.

Books have received multiple awards including the North Dakota State Library Association Notable Documents Award, Benjamin Franklin Award, and Independent Press Awards; she is considered a national expert on American Indian boarding schools.