LEETSO DOODA by Rachelle Wilson
We are thrilled to announce the First Indigenous Poetry Prize, judged by poet m.s. RedCherries, 2024 National Book Award Finalist and Author of “mother”
Winner:
Megan Dorame for her poem what blood is the salinity of saltwater?
Finalists:
Jalen R. Lee for his poem uncle in the gleam
Kirbie Bennett for his poem LOOK AT THE WAY THE MOUNTAINS HOLD THE SKY & THE SUN KISSES THE FACE OF THE EARTH & THINK ABOUT WHAT IS BURIED IN A LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Honorable Mentions:
Hannah Henry for her poem Ikhaiyana
Malia Maxwell for her poem ‘Ula
Editor’s Note Winter 2025 Issue:
by Claire Wilcox
We are entering a new era, and I can’t help but think it will be a dark one. My whole life, I’ve believed that we were generally on an upward trajectory. I believed that, despite the ups and downs, we were steadily making progress toward reversing the damage wrought by colonization and creating a better world, at least when it came to social justice, inclusion, LGBTQIA rights, women’s rights, and diversity. Also, even though the political machine was stalled, I continued to hold on to a sliver of hope that soon, we were going to turn our attention back to our natural world and figure out how to curb, if not stop, the devastating effects of climate change—maybe even begin to worship nature again…
Read entire note here.
Chapter House Journal is an online literary journal promoting the ideals and vision of the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) Low Residency MFA Creative Writing Program. We began in 2015, publish two issues a year, and have two submission windows per year: November 1-December 31 and May 1-June 30 (more information available via the Submit link above). While Chapter House is rooted in an Indigenous centered program, we look to publish writers from a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, styles, and aesthetics. We are extremely proud to have published numerous esteemed Indigenous writers including Layli Long Soldier, Deborah Miranda, Kinsale Drake, Abigail Chabitnoy, Erin Marie Lynch, Tiffany Midge, and Bojan Louis.
In Storyteller’s Corner, we publish original content including reviews, interviews, video footage of craft talks, and readings from faculty members and visiting writers. Contributors are solicited through our student body. Edited by Rey Rodriguez, this corner features Jake Skeets, m.s. RedCherries,Tommy Orange and Ramona Emerson and many many others through book reviews and interviews.
Chapter House publishes fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, visual art, and occasionally screenwriting. We also have a annual prize, with a cash award. All submissions, including solicitations, are read by a staff of IAIA MFA students and faculty advisors. The staff also manages submissions, solicitations, publication decisions, website design, and blog content.