Diné College Student and Faculty Mentor Advance Indigenous Voices at 2026 AWP Conference
BALTIMORE , MD., April 1, 2026. Diné College student Tylia Begay and faculty mentor Dr. Yolanda Franklin represented tribal colleges at the 2026 Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference in Baltimore. Begay attended the event through the fully funded AWP Tribal Colleges and Universities Fellowship. The journey to the conference began as an extra credit assignment in Dr. Franklin’s class and transformed into a significant opportunity to participate in a premier national literary event.
The Association of Writers and Writing Programs Conference served as the largest annual gathering of writers, teachers, students, editors, and publishers in North America. The event brought the literary community together to discuss publishing, attend readings, and connect with fellow writers. During the conference, Begay and Dr. Franklin networked with prominent Diné authors Jake Skeets, Laura Tohe, and Ramona Emerson. They also engaged with literary organizations such as the NDN Girls Book Club.
The Diné College representatives attended targeted sessions on publishing strategies and the amplification of diverse voices. They joined critical discussions regarding censorship and banned books. These subjects carry deep importance for Indigenous writers seeking to share their stories with broader audiences.
This experience demonstrated the vital role that relationships between faculty and students play in strengthening Indigenous representation in national literary spaces. Dr. Franklin served as a crucial component in establishing the presence of Diné College at the Baltimore event. These professional connections bridged barriers across diversified groups involved in literature and publishing across the country.
Following this successful representation, applications for the 2027 AWP Conference in Chicago opened on April 1, 2026. The fellowship welcomes applications from all tribal college and university students and faculty interested in creative writing. The fully funded opportunity includes honorariums to support travel, lodging, and ongoing mentorship. Eligible writers can submit their applications online.
PHOTO: Dr. Yolanda Franklin, Dominque Daye Hunter, Elliot Chemberlin, Laura Tohe, Tylia Begay, Ramona Emerson, and Michelle Sturges-Brown.
PHOTO CREDIT: Art Antonik
