Through poems that capture the essence of each person's life, acclaimed Native American writer Joseph Bruchac introduces readers to famous indigenous leaders from The Peacemaker in 1000 A.D. to modern day dancer Maria Tallchief and Cherokee chief Wilma Mankiller. Each poem is illustrated by a modern-day tribally enrolled artist.

A tribally enrolled citizen of the Nulhegan Abenaki nation, Joseph Bruchac's poems, stories, and essays often reflect his deep interest in Native history and culture. His work has appeared in hundreds of publications, from Junior Scholastic and Parabola to The Paris Review and National Geographic and he has published over 170 books.