2026 James Welch Prize

Winners

ALEXIS CLIFTON: A dissection of Ndé Biyáti, or the way my heart dropped for Oak Flat, or how to be an NDN in the 21st century

Alexis Clifton is a Native (Lipan Apache / Choctaw-Apache Tribe of Ebarb, Wixárika) and Spanish writer born of the American south. Her award-winning work has been featured in The Amazine, Bending Genres, Cellar Door, and more.

CASANDRA LÓPEZ: Chillona Feels Her Voice Break

Casandra López is a California Indian (Tongva/Luiseño) and Chicana writer. She’s the author of the poetry collection Brother Bullet. She is an Assistant Professor at UC San Diego and a Tongva language learner.

Download a printable digital broadside featuring the winning poems:

Finalists

DONAVAN KAMAKANI ALBANO: Muliwai

OFI DAVIS: donkey considers the sun

KALILINOE DETWILER: Proximity to ‘Āina

KINSALE DRAKE: Restoring truth and sanity

BONNEY HARTLEY: Kaache neek meenan taapeekwak (even now the blueberries are ripe)

MALIA MAXWELL: Nā Hulu ‘Ekekeu

SUNNI PARISIEN: Response: A Triptych

We are delighted to feature our 2026 James Welch Prize winners and finalists in our online folio. This PDF matches the layout and formatting as our print edition:

POEMS BY 2026 WINNERS & FINALISTS APPEAR IN THE SUMMER & FALL 2025 ISSUE.