about sarah

Sarah Lewis (she/her) is an Anishnaabe Kwe (Ojibwe/Cree) spoken word artist, activist, community organizer and mother. She has ancestral roots in Curve Lake First Nation, Ontario as well as Pukatawagon, Manitoba. She was Peterborough’s Inaugural Poet Laureate from 2021-2022 and was a semi-finalist at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word in 2019.

She began her journey in the world of slam poetry and has competed in many slams in Peterborough, Toronto and across Turtle Island.

In August 2022, Sarah was awarded the ‘Rebel With a Cause’ award by The Elizabeth Fry Society—an award that honors women activists making a mark in Peterborough.

She has been featured on Global News, CBC radio, Toronto Star, Peterborough ThisWeek, The Examiner, KawarthaNow, Trent Radio, Peterborough Currents, CBC Arts’ ongoing video series: Poetic License, Trent University Alumni Magazine and The ARTHUR.

Poetry anthologies that Sarah has been published in include: ‘The Edmonton Poets Anthology’ (Edmonton Poets Society and Moon Jelly House), ‘The Condor and the Eagle Meet’ (Kegedonce Press) as well as ‘A Manor of Words’ (Black Moss Press).

Sarah has been involved in over 100 undertakings ranging from poetry workshops, performances, concerts, recorded studio videos, event organizing, hosting, mentorship programs, book launches, and motivational presentations on topics such as Truth and Reconciliation in Health Care and Indigenous Empowerment.

Sarah has worked with numerous non-profit organizations, youth and adult literacy programs, and aspiring poets in and around the Peterborough community. Sarah holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario.

Sarah’s poetry envisions a decolonial society where sexism, the patriarchy, capitalism and racism do not exist. Her poetry reminds us to rest, to resist, to question, to choose nature, to choose love and embrace all of our beautiful and complex humanness. Her poetry also highlights the resurgence of Indigenous communities and how Indigenous people are reclaiming their identities, culture, strength and sovereignty.

She is currently working on her first collection of poems to be published in 2023. Stay tuned for it’s launch!