Bio

Heather Lende’s latest honor is an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from the University of Alaska, Anchorage for significant contributions to literature and public service. She earned a B.A. in history from Middlebury College and an M.F.A. in creative writing from UAA. Lende is the author of bestselling and critically acclaimed memoirs, including Find the Good, If You Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name, Take Good Care of the Garden and the Dogs and  Of Bears and Ballots. Her books focus on her experiences and observations in Haines, Alaska.

In addition to her writing, Lende has held various roles within the literary and local community. She had a long running column in the Anchorage Daily News, served as a contributing editor for Woman’s Day magazine and has written approximately 400 obituaries for the Chilkat Valley News. Lende has been recognized with the Alaska Governor’s Award for Distinguished Service to the Humanities, the Alaska Center for the Book’s Contribution to Literacy Award, the Alaska Library Association’s Alaskana Award, numerous Alaska Press Club Awards, the Episcopal Bishop of Alaska’s Bishop’s Cross Award, and was given a L’ingit name and family affiliation in Klukwan. She was the Alaska State Writer Laureate from 2021-2024 and has been active with the Center for the Narrative and Lyric Arts (Alaska Quarterly Review) and the North Words Writers Symposium.

Lende’s past and present community involvement includes volunteering and serving as a board member for Hospice of Haines, the Chilkat Valley Community Foundation, the Haines Borough Public Library and KHNS community radio. Additionally, she volunteered as the Haines High cross-country coach for 17 years and served on the Haines School Board and the Haines Borough Assembly.