New children’s book revisits Standing Rock through a young girl’s eyes

Indigenous journalist and author Rae Rose has released a children’s book, according to ICT. “The Sacred Stone Camp” follows a young girl guided by her unci, LaDonna, as water protectors gather to defend the land and water from the “black snake.” The book is illustrated by Aly McKnight, a Shoshone-Bannock artist known for her watercolor work.

Rose said she wrote the story in tribute to her late friend and relative, activist LaDonna BraveBull Allard, founder of the original Sacred Stone Camp, the protest camp set up along the route of the Dakota Access Pipeline. She said the story aims to show hope and highlight community strength. Rose plans to begin her book tour at Allard’s grave, saying, “She’s the first person I want to share this with.”