The Fairbanks Library Foundation will host a special event titled Alaska Author Night featuring Dena’ina poet Annie Wenstrup on September 17, 2025, at 18:00 in the TOTE Auditorium of the Noel Wien Library. This gathering aims to celebrate the rich literary contributions of Alaska Native authors, with a focus on Wenstrup’s work.
Wenstrup’s debut poetry collection, titled The Museum of Unnatural Histories, was published in March 2025 by Wesleyan University Press. The collection intricately explores personal history through the lens of an imagined museum, intertwining the lived experiences of an Alaska Native individual with the narratives of unresolved colonial violence. This significant thematic exploration reflects the complexities of identity and history within the context of Alaska’s cultural landscape.
Recognized for her literary achievements, Wenstrup is the recipient of the 2025 Whiting Award in Poetry and the New England Review Emerging Writer’s Award. Additionally, she has been named the 2024 Stephen Donadio Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference Scholar. Her poetry has been featured in esteemed publications, including Alaska Quarterly Review, Ecotone, and Poetry.
Currently residing in Fairbanks, Wenstrup also serves as a coordinator for Indigenous Nations Poets, further contributing to the promotion and visibility of Indigenous voices in literature. Her involvement in this role reflects her commitment to fostering a vibrant literary community in Alaska.
The Alaska Author Night event promises to engage attendees with a reading by Wenstrup, followed by a question-and-answer session where audience members can interact with the poet. A book signing will also take place, allowing participants to purchase copies of her work. Light refreshments will be available for guests, making it a welcoming environment for literary enthusiasts.
For those interested in attending, the event is free of charge. Further details can be found by visiting the Fairbanks Library Foundation’s website at thelibraryfoundation.org/library-events. This event represents an opportunity to celebrate Indigenous literature and engage with the profound themes explored in Wenstrup’s work, enriching the cultural fabric of the Fairbanks community.
