Belonging / Ómapha (English-Lakota Bilingual Edition) (A Story of Road Trips and Relatives / Otákuye na oíchimani wóoyake wan)

Inspired by the author's real-life journeys, this Lakota-English bilingual picture book follows a mother and daughter on a road trip from Atlanta, Georgia, to Standing Rock in the Dakotas—celebrating family, culture, and the meaning of belonging every step of the way.

Strapped into a cramped car but eager for the journey ahead, a little girl and her mother embark on a cross-country road trip from Atlanta to Standing Rock. En route, they watch the sunrise from atop the Cahokia Mounds, pray at rivers, and swim in a prairie lake. Finally, mother and daughter arrive at Standing Rock in time for the annual Wakpála wačhípi (powwow).

Through their journey, this family lives in the teachings of Mitákuye Owásʼiŋ (we are all Related). They honor their connection with the Human Relatives, Plant and Animal Relatives, and Land and Water Ancestors. Whether with their Black family in Atlanta or their Lakota family in Standing Rock, this family belongs to more than one community and more than one place. They’re here to remind you that whoever you are and wherever you are, when you’re a good Relative, you belong.

Wíŋyaŋ waŋ čhúŋkšitku kičhí iyéčhiŋkyaŋka mahél okȟáŋšni k’éyaš oákaŋke ičáške uŋ iyúskil’ič’iya yaŋkápi na Atlanta ečhíyataŋhaŋ Íŋyaŋ Woslál Háŋ éčhetkiya iyókphiya glápi. Čhaŋkú kiŋ ogná, Cahokia Apáhaka-Káǧapi akáŋl wíhinapȟa čha waŋyáŋg nážiŋpi na wakpá ektákta wačhékiyapi na obláyeta blé waŋ ektá nuŋwáŋpi. Kítaŋȟčiŋ wičhíŋčala kiŋ éna húŋku kiŋ Íŋyaŋ Woslál Háŋ ektá glihúŋnipi. Wakpála Wačhípi ȟčeháŋn glípi.

Thiwáhe kiŋ lé “Mitákuye owás’iŋ” wičhóȟ’aŋ ogná ománipi. Hunúŋpa otákuye na wamákȟaškaŋ na táku makȟóčhe etáŋ ičháǧe iyúha kiŋ kȟoyágya úŋpi čha yuónihaŋ yuhá ománipi. Atlanta ektá Hásapa thiyóšpaye tháwa ób naíŋš Íŋyaŋ Woslál Háŋ ektá Lakȟóta thiyóšpaye tȟáwa ób k’éyaš thiwáhe kiŋ lé wičhóthi tóna na oyáŋke tóna ektá ópȟapi. Nitúwe naíŋš tuktétu ke éyaš yaúŋ héči otákuye wašté heníčha háŋtaŋš ónipȟa čha níčiksuyapi.

CELEBRATES MULTIPLE HERITAGES: Readers will cherish this story that beautifully affirms belonging in more than one family, community, and cultural tradition. An author's note, illustrator's note, and translator's note explores the story's locations and language, including the Lakota alphabet created by Ella Deloria, a renowned Lakota scholar.

BILINGUAL LAKOTA-ENGLISH TEXT: This picture book celebrates a contemporary Lakota experience and features the Lakota language in print, helping to make it accessible for future generations.

INTRODUCES NATIVE LANDMARKS: Through words and images, young readers are introduced to places like Cahokia and Standing Rock as well as natural landmarks, including the Mississippi River and more.

Perfect for:

• Families raising multiracial or multicultural children
• Readers seeking contemporary Native stories
• Classrooms discussing belonging and identity
• Librarians building diverse picture book collections
• Families connected to Lakota or Black heritage
• Anyone who loves meaningful road trip stories