From Turtle Island to performing internationally, Indigenous artists are promoting positivity and empowerment. Last month, Duckwater Shoshone, Southern Ute, and Pyramid Lake Paiute author and motivational speaker Tanaya Winder visited the UK with artists Frank Waln, Lumhe Sampson and Samsoche Sampson from Dream Warriors for an artist collaboration on sacred spaces.

During the trip Winder was able to deposit her debut poetry collection “Words Like Love” into the three major libraries in the UK. These libraries included the Liverpool Archives, the Bodleian Library at Oxford University, and the British Library in London, which is considered the largest library in the world by number of items catalogued.

Published in September 2015 by West End Press, her debut collection has since sold out of its 1st edition in less than six months. Now into its second print-run, the book and its messages continue to traverse many spaces including Canada, where its been taught at Western University in London, Ontario, Stuttgart Germany, where Winder performed at the opening of The North America Native Film Festival where guests included the Sila Singers, actress Roseanne Supernault, and musician Frank Waln.

While getting one’s book into such major libraries could be deemed a huge accomplishment, Winder says her favorite book tour visits have been to the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota, Solen High School in ND, the Red Lake Reservation in Minnesota, and her home on the Southern Ute Reservation. “I wrote the book I needed to read,” Winder says. “I love my people and where I come from. This book is a gift to everyone who has taught me about love.”

Described as “a love song for a generation” by the Mvskok/Creek poet, musician, and performer Joy Harjo, “Words Like Love” will now make its way to New York City on July 30 and 31, 2016 where Winder will perform at the Lincoln Center Out of Doors events alongside poets Tusiata Avia, Toni Blackman, Moe Clark, Natalie Diaz, Baba Israel, Noel Quiñones, Terisa Siagatonu, Elisabet Velasquez, G Yamazawa, and Gustavo Zapoteco.