Prince Edward Island’s new poet laureate is actress and best-selling author of “My Mi’kmaq Mother,” Julie Pellissier-Lush.
A graduate of the University of Winnipeg who works with young families at the Mi’kmaq Family Resource Centre, Pellissier-Lush wrote and performs in “Mi’kmaq Legends” and was vice-president of the Aboriginal Women’s Association for four terms.
In her new role, Pellissier-Lush will act as a spokesperson for literature in Prince Edward Island and raise awareness of poetry and the spoken word.
Originally from Summerside, she is P.E.I.’s first Mi’kmaq poet laureate.
“Islanders will be inspired by her amazing capacity to use the beautiful and powerful art of poetry to express her love of our rich Island history and the Mi’kmaq culture,” said Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry.
“We have great confidence in Julie’s ability to perform in this special and very important role,” said Premier Wade MacLauchlan. “She will engage Islanders in the literary arts and particularly poetry which Islanders enjoy so much. We look forward to the important perspective that Julie will bring as a fine writer, storyteller and one of the Island’s most loved Indigenous people.”
Pellissier-Lush replaces Deidre Kessler, who has just completed her three-year term. Previous P.E.I. poets laureate include John Smith (2003-05), Frank Ledwell (2005-08), David Helwig (2008-10), Hugh MacDonald (2010-13), Diane Hicks Morrow (2013-16) and Kessler (2016-19).
“Islanders will be inspired by her amazing capacity to use the beautiful and powerful art of poetry to express her love of our rich Island history and the Mi’kmaq culture.”
- Lt.-Gov. Antoinette Perry
Poets laureate often choose to engage in composing poetry related to legislative or state occasions and events of significance, visiting schools, presenting or arranging poetry readings and assisting with writing workshops and other activities.
To be selected, the poet laureate must be active and recognized as a poet of stature who has published at least one volume of poetry within the last 10 years with a reputable publishing house, or whose body of work over the years has brought honour to themselves and the province.
Poetry produced in either English, French and/or Mi’kmaq languages is considered in making the selection of poet laureate.
What is a poet laureate?
The tradition of crowning poets with a wreath of laurel dated from classical Greece and became an institution in 1688 with the designation of the first British poet laureate.
In P.E.I., poets laureate are chosen by a selection committee named by the minister of education, early learning and culture and consists of the poet laureate whose term is ending, a nominee of UPEI and two nominees from the cultural community who have knowledge of literary activities in the province.
The P.E.I. Public Library Service has responsibility for the program.
The poet laureate must be a full-time resident of Prince Edward Island and have been a resident of the province for at least the five years preceding the appointment.
The poet laureate is appointed for a three-year term which is not renewed or extended.
