Whereas

Whereas is a poetry collection by Layli Long Soldier, an American poet of Oglala Sioux heritage. Published in 2017, the book critically examines the historical and ongoing injustices faced by Native Americans in the United States. A significant portion of the work is a response to the U.S. government's 2009 official apology to Native Americans, questioning its sincerity and delivery. Long Soldier's poetry also explores themes of colonization, genocide, language, and motherhood, often using experimental forms to confront difficult histories and assert Native identity. The collection received critical acclaim, winning awards such as the National Book Critics Circle Award for poetry. The word "whereas" itself is a conjunction used to introduce contrasting statements or facts, and also functions as a noun meaning a preamble or introductory statement in formal documents.123