Pte San Win Little Whiteman (they/them) is an Oglala Lakota poet, community storyteller, and youth mentor who uses poetry as a tool for healing, self-expression, and community connection. Their work explores mental health, environmental, racial, and social justice, land and body relationships, and the power of storytelling to strengthen communities and inspire change.
A Brave New Voices alum, Pte San Win has performed at venues including The Kennedy Center, Native Pop, the Black Hills Art Market, and Poetry Out Loud. Their work has been featured by Teen Vogue, Indian Country Today, and the Tribal College Journal, where they received recognition through AIHEC's Creative Writing Contest.
In addition to performing, Pte San Win facilitates writing workshops, poetry slams, and open mics, and serves as a youth coordinator with NDN Girls Book Club. As an inaugural Public Poets Fellow with Youth Speaks, they continue to explore how poetry can foster healing, advocacy, cultural connection, and collective care.
Through their workshops and performances, Pte San Win invites participants to discover the power of voice, creative expression, and storytelling as pathways toward empowerment, belonging, and community.
Power of Language
Participants will learn about the power of language in poetry, how using native languages can support cultural preservation and connection, and how the English language can be shaped and transformed through creative expression. This workshop encourages participants to think more deeply about their use of words and how language can strengthen both poetry and storytelling.
A Constellation for Our Vision
Participants will explore the connection between stargazing and ambition-building by identifying constellations from their region of origin or current location and pairing them with future goals and dreams. This workshop encourages participants to reflect on their aspirations and create lasting reminders of what they hope to achieve.
The Art of Spoken Word
Participants will learn about the history and importance of spoken word poetry and explore the power of voice during times of censorship and change. Through discussion, writing, and performance, participants will be encouraged to take center stage, share their stories, and use their voices to speak about what matters to them.
Honoring Our Ancestors' Footprints
In this workshop, participants will explore ways to honor the footprints of their ancestors while also learning how to honor themselves. Through reflection and creative expression, participants will consider how the wisdom, resilience, and stories of those who came before us can help guide their own paths forward.
How the Land Speaks to Us
Participants will explore the relationship we have with the land and consider ways to honor the places we come from and the places we currently inhabit. Through poetry and storytelling, participants will reflect on how we coexist with the land and how creative expression can help us advocate for and care for the world around us.
For the Love of Poetry
Participants will be introduced to the basics of poetry and gain a deeper understanding of the art form. Together, we will explore different poetic forms, writing techniques, and creative tools while creating a welcoming space for participants to experiment, write, and discover their own unique voice.
How Advocacy and Poetry Collide
Participants will learn about the history of advocacy through poetry and explore the work of Indigenous poets who use creative expression to advocate for their communities and rights. This workshop examines how poetry can amplify marginalized voices, build awareness, and inspire meaningful social change.
