Gogisgi, an Indigenous poet you should know
Gogisgi, who often published under the name Carroll Arnett, was born in Oklahoma in 1927. He was Chief of the Overhill Band of the Cherokee Nation and remains, to date, one of the most prolific Cherokee poets.
In total, Gogisgi authored thirteen books of poetry. Middlebury owns nine, including (1969), featured in this post.
Gogisgi’s poems are typically concise, containing short lines that deliver a single message. Take “The Dare,” for example:
I always
ask too
much: it’s
the very
least I
can do.
Check for a full list of works by Gogisgi at Middlebury.
Our bookish celebration of Indigenous Peoples’ Day started on Instagram.
Visit go.middlebury.edu/special to view more posts in our Indigenous authors series.
Questions? Email specialcollections@middlebury.edu.