Bruce Roseland, South Dakota’s poet laureate, has been named a winner of a 2025 Western Heritage Award from the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. He joins notable honorees such as country music duo Brooks & Dunn and the popular streaming series Yellowstone.
Each recipient of the award will receive a Wrangler Award, a bronze statue of a cowboy on horseback. The awards ceremony is set to take place on April 12 in Oklahoma City.
Recognized for Epic Western Poetry
Roseland was honored in the Poetry Book category for his 2024 epic poem, Earl’s Own Dakota Odyssey. The poem follows the journey of a modern-day ranch hand in western South Dakota, capturing the spirit and challenges of life on the plains.
As a fourth-generation cattleman, Roseland brings firsthand experience to his poetry. He ranches near Seneca, South Dakota, and has been deeply connected to the land throughout his life.
A Celebrated Poet and Rancher
In 2023, then-Governor Kristi Noem appointed Roseland as South Dakota’s eighth poet laureate. Over the years, he has published eight poetry books and earned four national awards for his work. His writing reflects the rugged beauty of the West and the hardworking people who call it home.
With this latest honor, Roseland continues to elevate Western poetry, capturing the essence of ranch life and the American frontier.
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