City of Nanaimo announces Jennavieve Strub as newest Youth Poet Laureate

Emerging poet appointed as the City of Nanaimo’s Youth Poet Laureate for the 2026–2028 term

NEWS RELEASE - Distributed January 7, 2026 10:00 AM

Summary

An emerging voice in Nanaimo’s literary community, Jennavieve Strub has been appointed the City of Nanaimo’s Youth Poet Laureate for a two-year term (2026 - 2028). Jennavieve was formally appointed by Council following a selection process that recognized her compelling body of work, strong community vision and commitment to making poetry accessible, inclusive and relevant to young people.

Born and raised in Nanaimo, Jennavieve is currently in her fourth year at Vancouver Island University (VIU), completing a Bachelor of Arts with a dual focus in Psychology and Creative Writing. Her interdisciplinary background informs her writing practice, which explores themes of identity, belonging, grief, empathy and growth. Her work reflects the lived experiences of youth and young adults, and her poetry has been recognized through multiple local and regional awards and publications.

Jennavieve’s relationship with literature began later in life. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, she discovered reading and writing as tools for reflection and connection - an experience that continues to shape her approach to poetry today. She has since become deeply engaged in Nanaimo’s literary community through her work with VIU’s Portal magazine, where she has served in multiple editorial and leadership roles, as well as through her participation in readings, competitions and collaborative creative projects.

As Youth Poet Laureate, Jennavieve envisions poetry as a living, everyday practice embedded in community life. Her proposed initiatives include youth poetry clubs, accessible poetry nights in underage venues, intergenerational writing exchanges and collaborative projects that blend poetry with visual art, performance and popular culture. Through these initiatives, she aims to create welcoming spaces for youth who may not yet see themselves as writers, particularly those who have felt unheard or marginalized.

The City’s Youth Poet Laureate program supports the development of youth voices and encourages civic engagement through literary arts. Mentored by the Poet Laureate, the Youth Poet Laureate presents original work at civic and community events and leads youth-focused poetry initiatives in collaboration with local partners. The program fosters creativity, dialogue and connection, while amplifying the perspectives of young people within Nanaimo’s cultural landscape.

More on the City’s Youth Poet Laureate program can be found on the City’s website.

Link to Strategic Plan: The Poet Laureate program aligns with the goals of the City of Nanaimo’s City Plan: Nanaimo ReImagined by fostering equitable opportunities for all community members of different ages, abilities and backgrounds to create, engage, experience and contribute to Nanaimo’s arts and culture.

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