Alaska

Current Laureate:
John Straley (official title: State Writer Laureate)

Start of Term:
October 2006 (term ends October 2008)

Position History:
According to the Alaska State Council on the Arts: "The Juneau Poetry Society created the Poet Laureate Program in the early 1960's. In 1963, under House Resolution 25, the position of Poet Laureate was officially confirmed by the Legislature. In 1987 the Literary Advisory Committee began to oversee the selection process with the assistance of past poet laureates. In 1996 the Council acted to broaden the position to that of State Writer, recognizing and honoring all genres of writing. The State Writer position is a two-year appointment."

Previous Laureates:
Margaret Mielke (1963-1965)
Oliver Everette (1965-1967)
John Haines (appointed 1969)
Ruben Gaines (appointed 1973)
Sheila Nickerson (appointed 1977)
Richard Dauenhauer (appointed 1981)
Joanne Townsend (appointed 1988)
Tom Sexton (appointed 1995)
Richard Nelson (appointed 2000)
Anne Hanley (2002-2004)
Jerah Chadwick (October 2004-September 2006)

Further Resources:
•Publications by John Straley in the Library's online catalog.
•Alaska State Council on the Arts' Literary Arts page includes a brief history of the State Writer Laureate, a list of former State Writers, and selection criteria for the position.