Afro-Indigenous poet, educator, and cultural strategist Marique Moss will release her highly anticipated debut poetry collection, Sweetgrass and Soul Food: A Memoir in Poems, this summer. The e-book launches on Juneteenth (June 19), followed by print and hardcover editions on the Summer Solstice (June 20)—dates intentionally chosen to honor African American and Indigenous traditions of freedom, resilience and renewal.
A Memoir in Poems
Rooted in Moss’s lived experience navigating dual heritage as a member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation and as an African American woman, the collection is both personal and political. Organized into seven sections that reflect the arc of a life—from childhood to adulthood—Sweetgrass and Soul Food explores identity, historical trauma, belonging, survival and joy.
“These poems were written through grief, clarity, and laughter that caught me mid-tears,” Moss said. “I hope they serve as mirrors for others who navigate multiple identities, reminding them they are whole—not fractured.”
Poems such as “Buffalo Soldier,” “Both/And,” and “Sweetgrass Don’t Play” highlight the tension and beauty of living at the intersections—between cultures, generations, and personal truths. Through these verses, Moss bridges centuries of memory with her own story, offering a collection that centers communities too often made to feel invisible or divided.
Companion Journal for Reflection and Renewal
Releasing alongside the poetry book is Sweetgrass and Soul Work: A Companion Journal for Reflection and Renewal. This self-guided journal invites readers through four stages—Remember, Reclaim, Restore, and Rise—with grounding prompts, breathwork and reflective practices rooted in healing and empowerment.
About the Author
Marique Moss is an Afro-Indigenous poet, educator, legal scholar and cultural strategist. She is the co-founder and CEO of Mashkiki Studios LLC, where she leads workshops on plant medicine, decolonial storytelling and traditional arts. Moss holds degrees in Native American & Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Peoples Law. A longtime Minneapolis resident, she is an advocate for justice, education reform and cultural preservation.
Purchase the Collection
Sweetgrass and Soul Food: A Memoir in Poems
Buy on Barnes & Noble
Sweetgrass and Soul Work: A Companion Journal for Reflection and Renewal
Buy on Barnes & Noble
Contact Information
Name: Marique Moss
Email: mashkikistudios@yahoo.com
Website: mashkikistudios.com