I am an ardent poet, with 14 published books to my credit - my latest was a poetic response to the paintings of Nicholas Jennings and focused on the beauty of Bowen Island. As a passionate educator with a teaching career that spanned for 25 years at our community school, I was honored to be nominated for the Prime Minister’s Award for Teaching Excellence. For forty years, I've been a proud resident of Bowen Island, committed to igniting inspiration in people of all ages through poetry.

Now, I am urging our community to consider the establishment of a Poet Laureate’s position, for a customary term of two years, without pay. This position  would be responsible for creating, organizing, and implementing poetic ideas across all age levels. Planned activities would include workshops, readings, event-specific poems, contests, and mentoring. Considering that poetry not only boosts language and cognitive skills but also fosters empathy and resilience among readers and listeners, the creation of a Poet Laureate’s position would yield immeasurable benefits for our community.

According to the American Academy of Poets, over 200 U.S. municipalities have a Poet Laureate or equivalent role, enriching community access to literary arts and fostering a love for poetry. Why not add our own Bowen Island to this growing list?

Raise your voice in support of poetry, enrichment, and community-led initiatives. Back the creation of a Poet Laureate’s position. Sign the petition today. Together, let's make Bowen Island a homestead for poetic inspiration and creativity.