Marcie R. Rendon is an enrolled member of the White Earth Nation, author, playwright, poet, and freelance writer. Also a community arts activist, Rendon supports other native artists / writers / creators to pursue their art, and is a speaker for colleges and community groups on Native issues, leadership, writing.

Author of the award-winning Cash Black Bear murder mystery series, and the acclaimed stand alone novel Where They Last Saw Her, Rendon also has extensive work as a poet, children's book author, and scriptwriter. Productions include Say Their Names through Out of Hand Theater in Atlanta, GA; staged readings of Sweet Revenge at the Playwright Center and the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis, MN.

The creative mind behind Raving Native Theater, Rendon has also curated community created performances such as the Twin Cities Public Television series Art Is… Creative Native Resilience. As a librettist, she has worked with composers for operas in Minneapolis, MN and Sante Fe, NM.

Rendon was recognized as a 50 over 50 Change-maker by MN AARP and POLLEN, and O: The Oprah Magazine’s 31 Native American Authors to Read Right Now. She is a McKnight Distinguished Artist Award winner. Rendon and Diego Vazquez received the Loft Spoken Word Immersion Fellowship for their work with women incarcerated in county jails.

Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters

Marcie R. Rendon was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Adler University during its December 6, 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony. Adler University continues the well known work of community psychologist Alfred Adler by graduating socially responsible practitioners, engaging communities and advancing social justice. Rendon was recognized by the university for her years of work as a distinguished social justice champion, author, and arts activist. She also gave the keynote address for this year's graduating class of master and doctoral candidates. FMI, see: Addler University 2020 Virtual Commencement Ceremony and Rendon to Address 2020 Graduates in Virtual Ceremony

2020 McKnight Distinguished Artist Award

The Distinguished Artist Award was created to honor a Minnesota artist who has made significant contributions to the state’s cultural life.

"The Distinguished Artist Award recognizes artists who have chosen to make their lives and careers in Minnesota, thereby making our state a more culturally rich place. Although they had the talent and the opportunity to pursue their work elsewhere, these artists chose to stay—and by staying, they have made a difference. They have founded and strengthened arts organizations, inspired younger artists, and attracted audiences and patrons. Best of all, they have made wonderful, thought-provoking art. The goal of McKnight’s arts funding is to support working artists who create and contribute to vibrant communities. The Foundation’s Arts program is founded on the belief that Minnesota thrives when its artists thrive. The Distinguished Artist Award goes to one Minnesota artist each year... Rendon is the first Native American woman to receive the Distinguished Artist Award, first given in 1996." - McKnight Foundation

“Marcie brings a strong and necessary voice to so many genres,” said Pamela Wheelock, McKnight’s interim president. “She has created a tremendous body of work, including poetry, plays, lyrics, and award-winning crime novels, all while raising up other Native voices in our community. Her commitment to making art in community embodies what a distinguished artist means to Minnesota and to McKnight.”

Photos by Jaida Grey Eagle

Artistic Statement

We are kept in their mindset as “vanished peoples.” Or as workers, not creators… What does this erasing of individual identity do to us? Can you believe you exist if you look in a mirror and see no reflection? What happens when one group controls the mirror market?

As Native people, we have known that in order to survive we had to create, re-create, produce, re-produce. The effect of the denial of our existence is that many of us have become invisible…the systematic disruption of our families by the removal of our children was effective for silencing our voices.

However, not (everyone) can still that desire, that up-welling inside that says sing, write, draw, move, be… we can sing our hearts out, tell our stories, paint our visions…we are in a position to create a more human reality…in order to live we have to make our own mirrors.

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