While attending the Institute of American Indian Arts in New Mexico, where she was studying painting and theater, Harjo began to write poetry reflecting the political climate for Native Americans, eventually seeing her work published. While living in Denver, she took up the saxophone, seeing music as a way to further express her work, and upon her return to New Mexico, formed Joy Harjo and Poetic Justice. She has appeared on several releases collecting the work of Native American artists and musicians, as well as Letter From the End of the 20th Century, a spoken-word collection of her work backed by music. ~ Tom Demalon