This Lakota-English bilingual picture book was inspired by the author's road trips cross-country with her daughter, driving from her daughter's father's Black family in Atlanta to the author's Lakota family in Standing Rock.
Strapped into a cramped car but eager for the journey ahead, a little girl and her mother embark on a cross-country road trip from Atlanta to Standing Rock. En route, they watch the sunrise from atop the Cahokia Mounds, pray at rivers, and swim in a prairie lake. Finally, mother and daughter arrive at Standing Rock in time for the Annual Wakpála Wačhípi (powwow).
Through their journey, this family lives in the teachings of Mitákuye Owásʼiŋ (or we are all related). They honor their connection with the Human Relatives, Plant and Animal Relatives, and Land and Water Ancestors. Whether with their Black family in Atlanta or their Lakȟóta family in Standing Rock, this family belongs to more than one community and more than one place. They're here to remind you that whoever you are and wherever you are, when you're a good relative, you belong.


- THEMES OF BELONGING: The themes around belonging in multiple places, and in multiple communities, is so powerful. The author's note speaks to Mitákuye Owás'iŋ, meaning All My Relations, a core belief of Lakota culture. - INTRODUCES NATIVE LANDMARKS: The manuscript introduces Cahokia and Standing Rock to young readers, as well as celebrating natural landmarks like the Mississippi and many more. - LAKOTA LANGUAGE: This picture book celebrates the Lakota language in print, helping to make the language accessible for future generations. - LAKOTA EXPERIENCE: The manuscript celebrates a contemporary Lakota experience, and an intersectional one.
- Anyone looking for contemporary Native voices & stories - Fans of Kimimila Locke's work, the Defenders of the Water School, or the Dakota Access Pipeline/Standing Rock movement - Anyone who loves road trips - Anyone who has family from multiple cultures, backgrounds, or traditions; families looking for stories about intersectionality