Joyce A. Halvorsen, author of "Winds of the Prairie" drew inspiration for this novel from family stories passed down through the generations. Her grand-parents and greatgrandparents immigrated to what is now South Dakota and Nebraska during the early 1900's. Their stories became the stuff of family legends. Ms. Halvorsen worked for the University of Wisconsin Madison Library System for many years and is a graduate of Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin. Upon graduation from Edgewood, she was presented the Class Human Issues award for her research and study of "The Native American Creation Story: Coyote and Changing Woman." As a former teacher and librarian, she still enjoys researching genealogy and American history. Although this novel is strictly of her imagination, certain people and places mentioned are historical and real. This book is dedicated with deep respect to those who settled the Dakota Territories and the Sioux tribes who were its first guardians. They were, and are still, the back-bone and blood of our nation. WINDS of the PRAIRIE Joyce A. Halvorsen
