Bio, as published in Yellow Medicine Review, Fall 2008:

em jollie: her moniker is a self-chosen name in honor of several of her matrilineal grandmothers; and, “em” means “all-embracing.” em’s life is a dream infused with all of the stars, the colors of the rainbow, and her favorite snack: organic carrots. She carries two stones in her pockets, one named “Beauty” and the other named “Balance.” She enjoys singing to the moon, dancing among the trees, listening to wind, and spending time with those dear to her heart. In addition to writing poetry she is working on a novel-length piece. She is fluent in American Sign Language and is interested in learning more languages (especially the ones woven through her dreamtime). Many of her hours are dedicated to crafting, creating visual art, and playing her traditional wood flutes.

She was raised by wild wolves deep in the woods of the northeast U.S. Since a very young age she has drawn inspiration from her Native roots: Mi’kmaq (matrilineally), Pocumtuck (patrilineally), and a smattering of other (not so) distant ancestors. She also has French and German heritage. She began dragging her bewildered parents (who were not raised traditionally and did not claim Native heritage) to Native gatherings at the age of 5 because of dreams she had been having. After a brief detour for her covert mission into academia (which garnered her a Cum Laude BA from Smith College), she has returned to her dreams and is hitting up the powwow circuit once again. She sees her work as an amalgamation of protest & prayer; in gentle rage & sure-footed love she seeks to address the collective injustices of a world rife with colonial conquests… and full of devastating Beauty… of Beauty… & Beauty.