The Gathering Tree

LARRY LOYIE (1933-2016) was a residential school survivor and an author of best-selling books on Indigenous history and traditions. As Long as the Rivers Flow is his moving contribution to understanding the traditional Cree childhood he loved and its loss when he was taken away to residential school. Larry Loyie regained his culture, and in his later years accomplished his goal of becoming an award-winning author and educator.

CONSTANCE BRISSENDEN, longtime partner of Larry Loyie and co-author of As Long as the Rivers Flow, is a freelance writer and editor. She has assisted in the creation of more than forty-eight books as author, co-author or editor, and continues to write from her home base in Edmonton, Alberta.

HEATHER D. HOLMUND graduated with honors from the Bachelor of Fine Arts Program at York University where her main concentrations were painting and metal sculpture. Since completing her degree, Heather’s artistic practice has led her to explore the exchange between the Canadian environment and the act of representation through art forms. Heather works between her studios in Pickering, Ontario, and Rainy Lake, Ontario. Her work is found in private and corporate collections, and is exhibited throughout Canada.