Alfreda Beartrack-Algeo
Alfreda Beartrack Algeo, is an enrolled citizen from the Kul Wicasa Lakota Nation in Lower Brule, South Dakota. She is an artist, author, and illustrator whose work is inspired by her Lakota heritage and family. Guided by her father, a respected oil painter and Western bronze artist, Alfreda began exhibiting art at age nine.
Her paintings, books—including children’s titles and teen novels—and illustrations are internationally recognized and featured in galleries, museums, and collections. Her debut book, DAY THE EARTH ROSE UP (7th Generation Book Publishing and Orca Book Publisher’s, 2022) tells the story of how seven sisters became the Pleiades Constellation. She holds degrees from the University of New Mexico, University of South Dakota, and the University of Phoenix, where she completed a published dissertation.
In her leisure time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, sewing, book readings, and tending her fruit farm at her home in Palisade, Colorado.
Alfreda stays closely connected to her Lakota family and community.
Alfreda is available for author visits and presentations about her books and culture. Visit www.matonunpallc.com
Alfreda Beartrack-Algeo
The Cottonwood Sings is the delightful story of the lovely Hunku (First Woman), who was immortal. The animals and plants loved her, but Hunku was lonely. Every day she would go to the riverbank and cry herself to sleep. Beaver, who lived in the river, fell in love with the beautiful Hunku and begged the Great Spirit to turn him into a man. The Great Spirit agreed, and Beaver became Takahe (First Man), but the Great Spirit told him that one day he would have to go back to being Beaver. Hunku and Takahe enjoyed their life together, and they had four beautiful daughters.
The day finally came when Beaver had to return to the river. Hunku missed her companion and asked the Great Spirit to turn her into a tree so she could always be close to Beaver. The Great Spirit agreed to her request, and to this day you will find cottonwood trees living near bodies of water and beavers living near cottonwood trees.
ISBN: 9780966931716
Author: Alfreda Beartrack-Algeo
Illustrator: Alfreda Beartrack-Algeo
Page Count: 40
Width: 8.50
Height: 8.50
Publication Year: 2023
Publisher: 7th Generation
E-book available here or through your favorite platform.