About the author:

Gillian Joseph (they/them) is a 2-Spirit Ihaŋktoŋwaŋ and Mdewakaŋtoŋ Dakhóta storyteller who grew up as a guest on Waxhaw and Catawba lands. Alongside writing, they work as a researcher with a focus on Indigenous health and wellbeing. Gillian loves spending time near mní, trying to figure out what their dreams mean, and hanging out with their cats, Smudge and Solstice.

You can find more of Gillian’s writing in Room Magazine, The Ex-Puritan, anthologies such as Indiginerds (Iron Circus Comics), and on their website: gillian-joseph.com.

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About the illustrator:
Delaena Rae Uses Knife’s Lakȟóta name is “Itanca Yalówaŋpi ” meaning, “Holy men/Head men are singing with you”. She is a Miniconjou Lakota enrolled member from the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.

Uses Knife received her liberal arts associates degree from the Oglala Lakota College in 2013. Her artistic style explains the Lakota Sioux traditions passed on and her illustrations are inspired by Walt Disney and Pixar Studios. Her dream is to be an animator and storyteller for children’s books.

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About the beadwork & book designer:

Marlena Myles is a Spirit Lake Dakota artist whose work blends traditional Dakota knowledge with contemporary art and design. Coming from generations of beadwork artists, including her mother, aunts, and grandmothers, she grew up surrounded by the creativity, stories, and cultural knowledge carried through beadwork.

For Protector of the Beads, Marlena created original beadwork designs and the book's visual layout, bringing together traditional artistic influences with contemporary illustration. Her contributions reflect a personal connection to the story and honor the generations of Dakota women who have passed down their creativity, knowledge, and love through their art.

Through her publishing company, Wíyouŋkihipi Productions, Marlena creates books and educational resources that celebrate Dakota culture and help carry Indigenous knowledge forward to future generations.

About the author:

Robert Harold Bordeaux is a Siċaƞġu Lak̇ot̄a descendant and writer and activist from Spearfish, South Dakota. Growing up disconnected from his Lak̇ot̄a family, his life has been a journey of finding his way home to the Rosebud Reservation to share space and grow in relationship with his tiwahe (family). In his writing, he touches on this journey connecting with his Lak̇ot̄a roots as he learns from Uƞc̄i Mak̇a what it means to be a good relative and ancestor. He shares openly about his life through his books, content shared online, and speaking. Outside of writing, Bordeaux is an organizer for NDN Collective and active in carrying on his ancestors’ legacy of fighting for sovereignty through his activism around the abolition of colonial systems.

His previous work includes his debut poetry collection Lovely Seeds (2017), Quiet Remnants (2018), a short story in the anthology Disconnected (2018), and various poems found in previous editions of South Dakota Poetry Society’s literary magazine Pasque Petals.”

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About the illustrator:
Thomasina TopBear is a self taught artist from the Oglala Lak̇ot̄a & Santee Dakota Nations. She is a member of the international all female paint crew Few & Far Women and co-founded City Mischief Murals. Specializing in large-scale murals her work can be seen on the sides of buildings throughout the country. Thomasina has organized a number of events focusing on empowering and creating safe spaces for youth and fellow artists to practice their crafts. She draws her influences from her Oċeti Ṡak̄owiƞ culture while using art to express her thoughts on community, social justice, spirituality and togetherness.

About the author:
Tracy Hauff is an enrolled member of the Oglala Lakota Tribe, Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and a contributor to museum exhibits created by the Center for American Indian Research and Native Studies (CAIRNS). She is the author of "Touch the Pen," published in the Articles of a Treaty, "The Sunflower," published in The Gift, and "These Men," published in Navigating Narratives, The Corps of Discovery in Teton Territory. Holding great respect for Uŋčí Makhá (Grandmother Earth), Tracy is passionate about saving the rainforests, Indigenous homelands, and endangered species. She resides on treaty land in the sacred Black Hills.

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About the illustrator:
Amé Myles is an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Dakota Tribe of North Dakota. She is a mixed-media artist who has been creating art in various forms since childhood. Self-taught, she works with a variety of materials including watercolors, ink, colored pencils and natural fibers with a focus on portraiture and the human form. She currently resides on Dakota homelands in Saint Paul, MN. Her work can be found at amemyles.com

Discover Dakota Plant Knowledge and Artistry

Immerse yourself in the rich traditions of Dakota plant wisdom with this beautifully crafted coloring book, a collaboration by three talented Dakota individuals. Authored by Tanaǧidaŋ To Wiŋ (Blue Hummingbird Woman), the book presents plant teachings in an engaging and accessible manner. Accompanied by Marlena Myles' stunning illustrations, each plant is depicted in a traditional Dakota floral style, echoing the artistry found in historical Dakota creations.

To enhance your learning experience, Dakota language teacher Dawí has meticulously translated the content and provided audio for each page, allowing you to hear the authentic Dakota pronunciations. Access the audio and deepen your connection to the Dakota language and culture.