Submissions Open: November 2026
Final Submission Deadline: December 21, 2026
Rolling Acceptance: Poems will be reviewed and accepted as submissions are received. Early submissions are encouraged.
Book Printing Target: January 15, 2027
Submit up to three original poems for consideration.
Poems may be written in English, Dakota, Lakota, or a combination of these languages.
Each selected poet will receive:
- $50 per accepted poem.
- One complimentary physical copy of Our Voices of Power upon publication.
- A digital art print featuring their poem and original illustrations on authentic 1870s ledger paper.
- Contributor recognition in the anthology, including their name, tribal affiliation, and biography.
- Exhibition of their poems/illustrations, with 50/50 split between poet and Wíyouŋkihipi on any print sales.
Our Voices of Power
A Lakota & Dakota Ledger Poetry Anthology
OPEN CALL FOR POETRY
Rolling Acceptance | Final Submission Deadline: December 21, 2026
Our voices carry power. Our words carry generations.
Wíyouŋkihipi Productions invites Lakota and Dakota poets from across the Očeti Šakowiŋ homelands (USA & Canada) to contribute to Our Voices of Power, a contemporary ledger poetry anthology celebrating the strength, love, wisdom, creativity, and living experiences of our people. The book will be illustrated by Marlena Myles (Spirit Lake Dakota).
Historically, ledger art allowed Plains warriors and artists to document their lives, accomplishments, battles, and significant experiences through visual storytelling. These illustrations preserved personal histories and the power of those who lived them.
Our Voices of Power carries this tradition into the present through poetry and illustration.
Across our homelands, Lakota and Dakota people continue to carry powerful stories. Some are found in acts of courage and resistance. Others live in the love of our families, the wisdom of our elders, the laughter of our children, the knowledge of our languages, and our relationships with the land.
This anthology invites contemporary poets to document the power they recognize in their own lives and communities. Each poem will become a contemporary ledger of strength, identity, hope, and belonging, accompanied by original illustrations on authentic 1870s ledger paper.
Together, these works will create a collective record of who we are today, what sustains us, and what we choose to carry forward.
What power will you leave for future generations to remember?
What We’re Looking For
We welcome original poetry exploring the many forms of power within our lives, cultures, and communities.
Possible themes include:
Strength & Empowerment: Courage, self-determination, resilience, and finding our voices.
Love & Kinship: Family, friendship, community, and the relationships that sustain us.
Hope & Renewal: Healing, transformation, growth, and new beginnings.
Ancestral Knowledge: Teachings, language, cultural practices, and wisdom passed through generations.
Land & Belonging: Our relationships with our homelands, water, plants, animals, and all living beings.
Joy & Celebration: Humor, beauty, everyday happiness, and the things that make life meaningful.
Future Generations: Our dreams, responsibilities, and hopes for those yet to come.
These themes are invitations, not limitations. We encourage poets to interpret power through their own experiences, perspectives, and creative voices. Power does not have to be loud or confrontational. It can be found in quiet moments, acts of generosity, cultural knowledge, laughter, and the ways we care for one another.
We want to celebrate not only what our people have survived, but what makes us strong, what brings us joy, and what continues to make us thrive.
Who Can Submit?
Poetry Submission Guidelines
Each accepted poem will be presented on an 8.5 × 13.5-inch illustrated ledger page, combining poetry and visual storytelling.
Because poetry and illustrations will share the page, we encourage shorter poems that leave room for the artwork.
- Submit up to three original poems for consideration.
- Poems should ideally be 20 lines or fewer. Shorter poems are encouraged.
- Poems must be original and previously unpublished, including in other books, magazines, anthologies, or online publications.
- Poems may be written in English, Dakota, Lakota, or a combination of these languages.
- Poems written in Dakota or Lakota must include an English translation.
- Both the original-language poem and its English translation must fit within the illustrated page layout.
- Poetry of all styles is welcome, including free verse, spoken word, traditional forms, and experimental writing.
Editing & Illustration
Each selected poem will be paired with original artwork created by editor and illustrator Marlena Myles, drawing inspiration from historic ledger art traditions.
Because each poem must fit within an 8.5 × 13.5-inch illustrated layout, the editor may request that contributors shorten or revise their poems when necessary.
All revisions will be made in collaboration with the poet to preserve the meaning, intention, and individual voice of the work. Poems will not be substantially altered without the poet’s approval.
Contributor Compensation
& Recognition
Each selected poet will receive:
- $50 per accepted poem.
- One complimentary physical copy of Our Voices of Power upon publication.
- A digital art print featuring their poem and original illustrations on authentic 1870s ledger paper.
- Contributor recognition in the anthology, including their name, tribal affiliation, and biography.
- Exhibition of their poems/illustrations, with 50/50 split between poet and Wíyouŋkihipi on any print sales.
Each poet’s name and tribal affiliation will appear alongside their poem, with a longer biography included in the contributor section of the book.
Copyright & Publication Rights
Poets retain copyright and ownership of their original writing.
Selected contributors will be asked to sign a publication agreement granting Wíyouŋkihipi Productions permission to publish their accepted poems in Our Voices of Power, including associated promotional materials. The agreement will outline publication rights, contributor compensation, and permitted uses of the work. The anthology is intended to celebrate and preserve the creative voices of our people while respecting each poet’s ownership of their writing.
Proceeds from book sales will support Wíyouŋkihipi Productions’ ongoing efforts to create educational resources, publications, workshops, and cultural projects that share Dakota knowledge and creativity with future generations.
How to Submit
Please complete the submission form and provide the following:
- Name: Your full name and preferred name for publication.
- Tribal Affiliation: Your Lakota or Dakota tribal nation and community (Descendants are welcome to submit but still need an associated community/reservation).
- Short Biography: Approximately 50–75 words about yourself.
- Poetry: Up to three original, previously unpublished poems.
- English Translation: Required for any poetry written in Dakota or Lakota.
- Contact Information: A valid email address so we can contact you regarding your submission.
Submissions are free. No previous publishing experience is necessary.
Final Deadline: December 21, 2026
Submission Timeline
Submissions Open: November 2026
Rolling Acceptance: Poems will be reviewed and accepted as submissions are received. Early submissions are encouraged.
Final Submission Deadline: December 21, 2026
Book Printing Target: January 15, 2027
Selected contributors may receive acceptance notifications before the final deadline, most likely just days after their submission.
As poems are accepted, they will move directly into editing, illustration, and book design. This rolling process allows each poem to receive individual artistic attention while the anthology takes shape.
Publication and book release details will be announced at a later date.
About the Editor & Illustrator
Marlena Myles (Spirit Lake Dakota) is a multidisciplinary artist, illustrator, and founder of Wíyouŋkihipi Productions. Her work explores Dakota philosophy, cultural knowledge, language, and relationships with the land through illustration, public art, augmented reality, and educational storytelling.
Our Voices of Power expands upon her previous exhibition, Native Voices of Power, bringing its exploration of Indigenous strength, identity, and self-expression into a collective literary and visual project.
By combining contemporary poetry with illustrations inspired by historic ledger art, Myles seeks to create a lasting record of the voices, relationships, and experiences of Lakota and Dakota people today. Her art can be seen at www.marlenamyl.es
About Wíyouŋkihipi Productions
Wíyouŋkihipi, meaning “We Are Capable,” is a Dakota-led creative and educational initiative founded by Marlena Myles.
Through books, art, educational resources, workshops, and digital storytelling, Wíyouŋkihipi Productions works to make Dakota cultural knowledge and creative expression more accessible while encouraging new generations to learn, create, and share their own stories.
Proceeds from Our Voices of Power will help support future publications, free educational resources, and community-centered cultural projects.
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.