Vancouver’s first Indigenous poet laureate

Christie Charles is a spoken word artist. Spoken word poetry is read aloud. Poets use their voices and sometimes music to perform their poems.

Charles dances and sings her poems. Sometimes she sings in the Salish language. She plays the drums. Sometimes she raps. Her poetry performances are lively.

One of her poems says:

Charles is excited to be Vancouver’s poet laureate. She wants to “highlight Indigenous poetry in the city.”

She is honoured “to share these beautiful stories” from her Nation’s past.

See Charles rap and sing her poetry during her ceremony:

 

Adapted from Vancouver Courier • Photo: Vancouver Public Library