The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild is delighted to announce that Tai Reign will be the 6th Youth Poet Laureate of Saskatchewan from August 1, 2025, to July 31, 2026.
The Youth Poet Laureate (YPL) celebrates Saskatchewan—its people, spirit, land—through the literary arts, and act as an ambassador and champion of poetry and writing. The Poet’s commitment to writing, passion for poetry, and community engagement through their position raises awareness of the power of poetry and engages all residents, including youth, in written poetry and spoken word.
Tai Reign (they/them) is a Two-Spirit artist from Peepeekisis Cree Nation based in Regina, Saskatchewan. As a young artist, they've used spoken word as an avenue of self expression. Collaborating with artists from different disciplines has helped them find a sense of connection and play in art and storytelling. They have performed across Canada and at the Voices of Today Youth Poetry Festival in Toronto. On their artistic journey, they've ventured into longer forms of storytelling, where they have co-created and performed two devised theater productions: Lift/Break and The Rehearsal.
The jury noted that “Tai Reign has been deeply engaged with Regina's spoken word community for many years, and has shared their powerful poetry on stages across Canada. The quality of their writing shone through in their application, along with their ongoing commitment to finessing their craft through professional development opportunities. Tai’s fierce passion to connect with others through poetry, spoken word, storytelling, theatre, and film will serve them well in the role of Youth Poet Laureate.”
To learn more about Tai and to hear their poetry, watch their introductory video here: https://youtu.be/IFrH1lKHfOg
Commencing in 2000, the Saskatchewan Poet Laureate Program was the first provincial program of its kind in Canada. The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild redesigned the program in 2019 to continue the tradition of honouring Saskatchewan poets and the poetry community while adding the Youth Poet Laureate position and exciting new community engagement opportunities. The Poets Laureate are under the patronage of the Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan, Her Honour the Honourable Bernadette McIntyre.
The Saskatchewan Writers’ Guild thanks outgoing Youth Poet Laureate Dash Reimer for all of his hard work engaging varied audiences of writers, poetry lovers and Saskatchewan residents in poetry in 2024-25. His work included readings and performances at various community events around the province as well as teaching and leading Slam Poetry Clubs at three Saskatoon high schools.
Our Saskatchewan Poet Laureate continues to be Peace Akintade-Oluwagbeye.
For additional Youth Poet Laureate program information or to request a reading or talk by our Youth Poet Laureate, visit: https://skwriter.com/programs-and-services/poet-laureate-program
Media interviews and inquiries can be forwarded to the SWG’s Program Director, Yolanda Hansen, at 306-791-7743 or programs@skwriter.com.
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