Meet the Authors

[picture of Emory]

Emory Dean Keoke


is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. He has worked as a multi-cultural relations and communications consultant since 1973. Ever since 1971, when his uncle Francis Hairy Chin gave him a book containing a quote by Red Cloud on alcohol abuse, he has been collecting information on American Indian contributions . "I read every book listed in the bibliography and went from there," he says.

For the past twenty years, he has used the results of his life-long research in seminars throughout the Northern Plains as an independent consultant for schools, churches and community organizations, including law-enforcement agencies.

Originally from Fort Yates, North Dakota, he earned a B.A. in Indian Studies and a B.S. in Nursing from the University of North Dakota. Currently he lives in Rapid City, South Dakota. Read Emory's Resume.


[picture of Kay]

Kay Marie Porterfield


has been a professional writer for over twenty years and was a reporter for Indian Country Today, the largest Indian-owned national weekly newspaper in the U.S. In 1996 she won a South Dakota Press Association award, and in 1997, she was selected by the Rural Ethnic Institute to participate in a state-wide think tank with tribal and government leaders to make policy recommendations on Indian/White relations in South Dakota.

For three years she taught Psychology, Education and Writing classes at the He Sapa Branch of Oglala Lakota College, a tribally run college in Rapid City, South Dakota.

She is the Author of 14 published books. Her books published by Facts on File include: Straight Talk About Learning Disabilities, Straight Talk About Divorce, Straight Talk About Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Straight Talk About Cults.

Kay is the recipient of a Fellowship in Nonfiction from the Colorado Council on the Arts. Currently she lives in Littleton, Colorado, where she is working on her next book. Read Kay's Resume.

Back to American Indian Contributions Main Page

This section updated 12/28/01
© Emory Dean Keoke and Kay Marie Porterfield