The Gathering Tree

Author Larry Loyie was born in Slave Lake, Alberta. He spent his early years living a traditional Cree life and treasures the lessons he learned from the elders. He went to residential school from the age of 10 to 14, then began his working life. Larry returned to school later in life to fulfill his childhood dream of becoming a writer. He received the 2001 Canada Post Literacy Award for Individual Achievement (British Columbia). In 2003, Larry was the first First Nations writer to win the Norma Fleck Award for Canadian Children's Non-Fiction for his first children’s book As Long as the Rivers Flows.

Constance Brissenden, BA (University of Guelph), MA (University of Alberta, theater) wrote a number of books with her partner, Larry Loyie. A nonfiction writer and editor of more than 14 books of history and travel, she was a writing instructor in Simon Fraser University's Writing & Publishing program for 18 years. In 1993, Larry Loyie and Constance Brissenden launched the Living Traditions Writers Group to encourage writing in Indigenous and other communities. A lifelong freelancer, Constance Brissenden continues to write, edit and teach writing and theater.

Illustrator Heather D. Holmlund has roots in the northern town of Fort Frances, Ontario, where she grew up. Her source of artistic vision has always been the spiritual essence of the Canadian landscape and its people. Heather attended York University in the visual arts program, before making her home in Pickering, Ontario. She is the award-winning illustrator of As Long as the Rivers Flow.