The stories and artwork of Native American tribes are a vital part of American culture because they contain within them the enduring beliefs and traditions of the first peoples of this continent. For thousands of years, tribal ways and wisdom have been passed down in story, song, dance, and art from elder to child, from tribe to tribe, and from native peoples to the world at large. From those teachings, stories are told, ancient objects are kept, and beautiful art is made.

Through language, the diverse peoples of the North American tribes have come to understand the world around them. As the people walked the land, the land shaped their stories as it shaped their ways of life, family relationships, alliances, conflicts, and dreams. In many places, tribal people no longer live in the lands of their ancestors, of if they do, those lands are no longer the same as they were. Still, the people and stories endure. Through story, song, dance, and art, Native peoples continue to understand and describe who they were in ancient times, and who they have become today.

"Coyote Speaks" encourages better understanding of Native American cultures by exploring through word and image some of the story-paths and life-ways of America's First People. Of the more than five hundred known tribes, nearly fifty are represented in this book, from all parts of North America.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

	Ari Berk is a writer, artist and professor of English at Central Michigan University, where he teaches in the fields of myth, folklore, and native American literature. he was a student of pulitzer Prize-winning writer N. Scott Momaday (kiowa) and is the author of the books "The Runes of Elfland," "Goblins!" and "Lady Cottington's Pressed Fairy Letters" (all illustrated by Brian Froud). He lives in Michigan with his wife and son.			Carolyn Dunn (Cherokee/Muskogee/Seminole) is a poet, journalist, playwright, and musician and is an Irvine Fellow in American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California. she is the author of the award-winning book of poetry "Outfoxing Coyote" and co-editor of the anthologies "Through the Eye of the Deer" (with Carol Comfort), "Hozho: Walking in Beauty" (with Paula Gunn Allen), and "Echo Location." She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and children. Visit the author's website at www.carolyndunn.com