Ep 178: Dr. Qwo-Li Driskill on Indigenous & Two-spirit Studies

Research in Action | A podcast for faculty & higher education professionals on research design, methods, productivity & more

On this episode, Katie is joined by Qwo-Li Driskill, a (non-citizen) Cherokee Two-Spirit and Queer writer, activist, and performer also of African, Irish, Lenape, Lumbee, and Osage ascent. They are the author of Walking with Ghosts: Poems (Salt Publishing, 2005) and the co-editor of Sovereign Erotics: A Collection of Two-Spirit Literature (University of Arizona, 2011) and Queer Indigenous Studies: Critical Interventions is Theory, Politics, and Literature (University of Arizona, 2011). Their book Asegi Stories: Cherokee Queer and Two-Spirit Memory (University of Arizona 2016) was a finalist for a Lambda Literary Award in 2017.

Segment 1: Indigenous & Two-spirit Studies [00:00-11:49]

In this first segment, Qwo-Li shares about their research in indigenous and two-spirit studies.

In this segment, the following resources are mentioned:

• Qwo-Li's books:
  • Sovereign Erotics: A Collection of Two-Spirit Literature
  • Queer Indigenous Studies: Critical Interventions is Theory, Politics, and Literature
  • Asegi Stories: Cherokee Queer and Two-Spirit Memory
• Research is Ceremony by Shawn Wilson

Segment 2: Research & Writing Poetry [11:50-22:38]

In segment two, Qwo-Li shares about their experience using research to write poetry.

In this segment, the following resources are mentioned:

• Walking with Ghosts: Poems
• Poetry for the People by June Jordan and edited by Lauren Muller
• The Practice of Poetry by Robin Behn
• Rhyme is Reason: A Guide to English Verse by John Hollander

Segment 3: Developing a Poetry Collection [22:39-34:08]

In segment three, Qwo-Li describes what makes a strong poetry collection.

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The views expressed by guests on the Research in Action podcast do not necessarily represent the views of Oregon State University Ecampus or Oregon State University.