Here’s who Victoria has named as the city’s newest Poet Laureates

Victoria  announced the appointment of Kyeren Regehr as the City’s new Poet Laureate and Shauntelle Dick-Charleson as the Youth Poet Laureate.

These two talented poets will serve as literary ambassadors, sparking creativity, conversation, and connection throughout the City over the next two years!

Regehr is an award-winning poet whose work has earned her national recognition. She is the author of Cult Life (a finalist for the national ReLit Awards and the City’s Butler Book Prize) and Disassembling A Dancer (winner of the inaugural Raven Chapbooks contest). 

Her poetry has been featured in top literary journals and anthologies across Canada, Australia, and the US, and she has been shortlisted or won over two dozen literary contests. 

With a background in professional dance and theatre, Regehr brings a unique rhythm to her poetry. She once accidentally found herself in the finals of the Victoria Poetry Slam after encouraging her students to take part. 

Now, as Artistic Director of Planet Earth Poetry, she continues to be a champion for the literary arts in Victoria. 

“I’m honoured to serve as Victoria’s seventh Poet Laureate on lək̓ʷəŋən homelands and look forward to deepening our connection to poetry and one another,” said Regehr. 

Dick-Charleson, a rising star in the spoken word community, will serve as Victoria’s Youth Poet Laureate. 

As a poet from the Hesquiaht and Songhees First Nations, Dick-Charleson’s work addresses Indigenous resilience, intergenerational trauma, and the experiences of Indigenous women. 

She began writing in grade 10 and soon found her voice on stage. In 2019, she competed with the Vic Slam Team at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word, where they placed eighth. 

Her poetry has been featured in In Our Own Aboriginal Voice 2, and she dreams of one day publishing her own book.

“We’re delighted to have the talents of Kyeren and Shauntelle representing the City as Poet Laureates,” said Mayor Marianne Alto. 

“I look forward to seeing their work inspire and connect residents of all ages through the power of poetry.”  

Over the course of their two-year terms, both Regehr and Dick-Charleson will create new work, engage with the community, and organize public poetry events. 

Their journey kicks off with their first official readings at the City Council meeting on Thursday, April 10 at 6 p.m., and the public is invited to attend and be part of this exciting literary moment.

The Poet Laureate and the Youth Poet Laureate were established in 2006 and 2013, respectfully. Since their inception, they’ve brought energy and inspiration to the City’s cultural scene. 

Regehr and Dick-Charleson’s welcome announcement comes a day after City staff recommended to council that these programs be cut from the budget.

See also:

• Victoria Book Prize and Poet Laureate programs at risk of being eliminated in 2026

Councillor Marg Gardiner, among others, do not want to see these programs end. 

In response, Gardiner set forth a motion that, if passed, would have City staff create a task force of literary community members that would possibly be in charge of raising funds. 

This would ensure that these impactful programs remain a part of Victoria’s vibrant arts community. 

Keep an eye out for these poets, as they bring their words, stories, and energy to the City’s cultural scene!

–With files from Curtis Blandy